And Rachel left the house determined not to give way to her fears.
She found Luke kneeling by the side of his mother's bed smoothing her hand and talking in a soft comforting tone of voice. His mother was lying with closed eyes, occasionally murmuring a few words.
"I'm going to try and find a nurse," he said in a low voice, "now that you have come. The doctor has given me several addresses. They have no-one at liberty at the Nurses' Home. I shan't be long."
Left alone Rachel took his place by the bedside, and for many minutes she knelt in silence. Then Mrs. Greville opened her eyes. When she saw who was with her an added look of anxiety crossed her face.
"Baby?" she murmured.
Rachel smiled reassuringly at her.
"I've left him with Polly," she said. "Don't be anxious about him. Polly is very fond of him and will take good care of him."
Mrs. Greville closed her eyes again. But though Rachel had spoken so reassuringly to her mother-in-law, she had hard work not to let her mind dwell on the occupant of the crib in the nursery at home.
She was touched at Mrs. Greville's anxiety for her boy, and that even in this first hour of her illness she was thinking of him rather than of herself. That she loved her grandson had been evident to Rachel from the very first. She was in fact wrapped up in the child; and was in consequence creeping into a warm place in her daughter-in-law's heart, the daughter-in-law who had never yet been able to frame her lips to call her "mother." Mrs. Greville had noticed the omission but had said nothing about it either to Luke or to his wife. It hurt her too much to mention it. But as Rachel knelt by her bedside holding her hand Mrs. Greville recognised the fact that the girl, who she had at times rather despised, had a strength in her, after all, that, made her glad to have her at this sad time, and when Luke returned with a nurse, he found her peacefully sleeping.
Rachel was thankful to be able to slip out of the house, and ran all the way home. After all, her fears had been unnecessary. Pat had had his bottle and was asleep again with Polly sitting by his side.