She wished that she could seat herself with that woman in some small upstairs room, and then ask question after question about the family.

But she did not dare to make the attempt.

She could not bring herself to explain to Mrs.
Button that she had never known anything of the belongings of her own husband.
When she had seen the upper part of the house, Mrs.Button offered to convoy her through the kitchens and servants' apartments, but she declined this for the present.

She had done enough for the day.

So she dismissed Mrs.Button, and took herself to the library.