This strange woman seemed to have gotten her in some invisible leash.
"Tell me what your name is, darling," said the woman, but she might as well have importuned a flower.

Ellen was proof against all commands in that direction.

She suddenly felt the furry sweep of the lady's cloak against her cheek, and a nervous, tender arm drawing her close, though she strove feebly to resist.

"You are cold, you have nothing on but this little white shawl, and perhaps you are hungry.

What were you looking in this window for?
Tell me, dear, where is your mother?
She did not send you on an errand, such a little girl as you are, so late on such a cold night, with no more on than this ?" A tone of indignation crept into the lady's voice.
"No, mother didn't send me," Ellen said, speaking for the first time.
"Then did you run away, dear ?" Ellen was silent.