And Rachel had added almost against her will, "And unfortunate, I am afraid, for Luke. However, I can always learn, I suppose."
Mrs. Greville had looked at her with cold critical eyes, saying, "We can learn anything if we put our mind into it," and thought as she uttered the words, "I only hope she will be useful as well as ornamental." The unspoken thought was so evident in the glance that Mrs. Greville gave her, that for a moment, even though Rachel had just been married to the man who was all the world to her, and for whom she was forsaking her mother and her home, she turned away feeling hurt, and vexed.
It was the thought of the mother-in-law who she would have to meet when she arrived in her new home, that was the cause of the slight feeling of depression and fear of which she was conscious as the train neared its destination. Then she glanced across at her husband.
He was deep in the "Times" and apparently utterly unconscious at the moment of her presence. But the expression of great content and interest on his face, and the sudden laugh that escaped him as he handed the paper across to her to enjoy with him something that had tickled his fancy, drove all depression away. After all she had him—for ever—that is to say till death should part them. What could she want more? And she had not promised to like, and adopt, his mother as hers!
It rained during their railway journey, but as they reached the manufacturing town in which was Luke's Parish, the sun shone out, and it was a happy pair that at last drew up at the door of the little house that was to be henceforth home.
"Here we are," exclaimed Luke as he handed out his wife. At the same moment the door was opened by a minute person with a short frock and white apron and with a little cap perched on her head. She looked at them with a broad smile.
"Who is the child?" asked Rachel.
"Why it's Polly Green! My mother promised me that she would get us a really nice little maid; and I know Polly well. She is a thoroughly nice girl. She then, is to be our factotum."
"Well Polly and how are you?" he said heartily, as he gave the bundle of umbrellas into her hands. "This is your Mistress, and you are a lucky girl to have her. Now be sharp, my girl, and put the umbrellas in the hall and then come back for another parcel."
Rachel laughed almost hysterically as she watched Polly running about with her cap on one side and then opening the door of the sitting room with an important air. She had never contemplated for a moment having such a small factotum!