"Mother what is it?" he asked. He knew she must have bad news of some kind and wanted to express her sympathy before she broke it to him.
"My poor boy," was all she said.
Luke took a chair by her and looked anxiously at her. She had been so much better lately, was able to walk a little and was getting altogether stronger, that her action perplexed him. Had the doctor given her a depressing account of herself, he wondered? Mrs. Greville's first words confirmed this fear.
"Dr. Fleming has been here."
"And surely he thinks you much better? Don't let him make you nervous about yourself, mother."
"It isn't about myself," said Mrs. Greville in a strained tone of voice, "it's about Rachel."
Luke's face cleared at once.
"Oh well," he said laughing, "you may make your mind easy about her. I left her this morning in good spirits."
He was much relieved.
"My poor boy!" said his mother again, "You must prepare for a great blow."