She realized that this grown-up girl, who could no longer be cuddled and cradled, was nothing to her, but her sympathy with the mother remained.
Ellen remained standing after she had greeted Cynthia.

Robert went over to the mantle-piece and stood leaning against it.

He was completely puzzled and disturbed by the whole affair.

Ellen looked at Cynthia, then at her parents.

"Ellen, come here, child," said her father, suddenly, and Ellen went over to him, sitting on the plush sofa beside her mother.
Andrew reached up and took hold of Ellen's hands, and drew her down on his knee as if she had been a child.