He began to wonder if the slight stroke his mother had had, affected her brain. He put his hand caressingly on hers. "Let's have it out," he said with a smile. "I don't think what ever it is that it can affect me as much as you imagine."
"Rachel is not well," said his mother watching his face anxiously. "She saw the doctor yesterday."
"Not well!" said Luke astonished. "Why, what is the matter with her? She was quite well anyhow this morning. Has she had an accident?"
"No. It is worse than an accident. The doctor thinks very seriously of her."
Luke rose and stood before his mother. All the colour had left his face.
"Tell me outright what you mean," he said sharply. "What is wrong with her?"
"Both her heart and her lungs."
Luke stood quite still and silent. He was always silent and unnaturally quiet when agitated in his mind.
"When did she see the doctor?" he asked at last.
"Yesterday."