She supposed that he was likely to be in the office.

When they passed the office-windows she looked the other way, but before she was well past, her aunt Eva hit her violently and laughed loudly.

Ellen shrank, coloring a deep crimson.

Then her mother also laughed, and even Amabel, shrilly, with precocious recognition of the situation.
Only Mrs.Zelotes stalked along in silent dignity.
"Don't laugh so loud, he'll hear you," said she, severely.
"It was that young man who was at the hall last night, and he was looking at you awful sharp," said little Amabel to Ellen, squeezing her warm arm, and sending out that shrill peal of laughter again.
"Don't, dear," said Ellen.

She felt humiliated, and the more so because she was ashamed of being humiliated by her own mother and aunt.