If the pretty wife had been alive she might have made things cheerful by being something like her own mother and by running in and out and going to parties as she had done in frocks "full of lace." But she was not there any more.
"You needn't expect to see him, because ten to one you won't," said Mrs.Medlock.

"And you mustn't expect that there will be people to talk to you.

You'll have to play about and look after yourself.
You'll be told what rooms you can go into and what rooms you're to keep out of.

There's gardens enough.

But when you're in the house don't go wandering and poking about.