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24 are surrounded by tall trunks, bare to a great height; far above us their branches form a canopy of bright green verdure under the blue sky.

"I wonder," say I to her, "how plain people feel about themselves. With us, comeliness is such a matter of course! &hellip; If I were to lose my good looks, or even my knowledge that I am good-looking, I really think I could not bear life. &hellip; It is that alone which gives me strength in presence of others. I go out in the full glare of day without a sunshade; in company, I sit with my face turned straight to the lamplight; I walk in the crowd, with head erect, fearing no one, abashed by no one—simply because I know that the sight of me must cause pleasure. &hellip; If I am good-natured, it is because of my good looks. I hate nobody, envy nobody, and am filled with a sort of Pagan, sunshiny, royal love for all."

"And which of us two do you think is prettier?" asks Martha.

"I don't know. &hellip; In reality, each of us thinks herself prettier; but we are both too cultured ever to have tried conclusions on that subject."