"Here we part," said the lady. "Good night!"
"Good night, Maam."
There was a kiss and a squeeze of the hand; but when Ellen would have turned away, the lady still held her fast.
"You are an odd little girl," said she. "I gave you liberty to ask me questions."
"Yes, Maam," said Ellen, doubtfully.
"There is a question you have not asked me that I have been expecting. Do you know who I am?"
"No, Maam."
"Don't you want to know?"
"Yes, Maam, very much," said Ellen, laughing at her friend's look; "but Mamma told me never to try to find out anything about other people that they didn't wish me to know, or that wasn't my business."
"Well, I think this is your business decidedly. Who are you going to ask for when you come to see me to-morrow? Will you ask for 'the young lady that lives in this house?' or will you give a description of my nose and eyes and height?"