"My dear," she said, "I do believe that you love that boy of mine as much as I do."
Rachel was tempted to answer "a great deal more," but forbore, only returning the kiss with warmth. She was getting almost fond of Mrs. Greville.
"Well, you see," she said with a smile, "he is my husband."
"But that does not always follow I am sorry to say. Wives are generally very quick in seeing and resenting faults in their husbands. And much as I love my dear boy I see a great many in him."
"But there are more virtues after all," was Rachel's answer, "and to return to the subject of whist drives, it is perfectly true what Luke quoted to me from some speech yesterday. 'The Church has so little power with the world because the world has so much power over the Church.' Don't you agree?"
"Well perhaps it is so. But when a man's bread and butter is concerned and when the Church funds are low, I own I feel it is not the time to be too particular."
"I am afraid I don't agree with you a bit."
"I don't suppose you do; that is because Luke has imbued you with his ideas of right and wrong."
"Luke has a very high ideal," said Rachel, "and I am trying to live up to it."
And Mrs. Greville went away thinking to herself, "I only hope that Luke realises what a devoted wife he has. I don't believe he does."