"You must learn to say Yes to Life!" she cried ringingly from time to time, her hand upon her niece's shoulder, her handsome head tilted backwards. "You know your Nietzsche?"
Lily shook her head, feeling much abashed and conscious that Aunt Clo thought her very young indeed.
"Courage!" said Miss Stellenthorpe. "Ah, jeunesse, jeunesse!"
Lily reflected quite irritably that Aunt Clo might just as well have said: "Youth, youth!" and have done with it.
IX
"To-day—I give battle!"
Aunt Clo's voice sounded as though the prospect filled her with mingled elation and concern.
"Can you amuse yourself, my Lily, if I leave you for the day? Books—piano—flowers—birds——" Aunt Clo enumerated the resources of her establishment with large and expressive wavings of her well-shaped hands over the breakfast-table.
"I can write some letters, and you have lent me so many books. I shall have plenty to do."