The sealed ledger

The archivist kept the sealed ledger on its foam rest while she studied the clasp. I had expected quick certainty from an expert, and her long silence made me edge closer, ready to offer the obvious suggestion: force it. She asked me to angle the lamp. A hairline split appeared beside the hinge, pale as a thread. Instead of opening the ledger, she photographed the clasp and returned it to its box. On the train home, I realised that the morning's most skilful decision had been the one that left the pages unread.

From the passage, select two words or phrases that show how the narrator's view of the archivist's decision changes.