Short Answer 
Cecily’s attitude towards education is characterized by a reluctance to learn, especially the German language, which she deems unimportant. She values appearances over intellectual growth, indicating a belief that looks are more significant than educational achievements.
Step 1: Identify Cecily’s Attitude
In the excerpt, Cecily demonstrates a clear reluctance to engage with learning, specifically the German language. This indicates her attitude towards education and knowledge, which she seemingly finds unimportant. Her focus is squarely on how others perceive her, rather than on acquiring new skills.
Step 2: Analyze Her Values
From her statements, we can infer that Cecily places a higher value on appearances rather than intellectual growth. This is highlighted by her comment about looking “plain” after a lesson, suggesting that her concern lies in how she is viewed rather than what she knows. This reveals an underlying belief that looks are more valuable to her than educational achievements.
Step 3: Draw Conclusions
Based on Cecily’s comments and behavior, we can conclude that she prioritizes superficial qualities over substantive knowledge. The indicators of her thinking include:
- Her belief that learning German is not worthwhile.
- Her remark about her looks post-lesson, showing a worry about her appearance.
- Her perception of her uncle’s seriousness, which she may view as unfashionable or unappealing.