"Why Polly, you are in the dark! You had better light up. You can't see to do your work."
Polly rather eagerly turned up the electric light.
"I didn't like to do it before Ma'am," she said, "as Mrs. Greville told me that I must be very careful not to waste the light as it is so expensive, and I thought if she came along and found it she might be angry."
"Well I'm your Mistress now," said Rachel, "and whenever it gets dark, I give you leave to light up. I'm sure you will be careful."
Rachel turned away and recklessly lit the three lights in the tiny drawing-room. She felt angry. Mrs. Greville should find that she had no authority whatever over Polly from henceforth. But the anger soon subsided, and apprehension took its place. Was her mother-in-law going to be a source of unhappiness in their home? But no, it was unthinkable, she must learn to like her.
She must not give place to the feeling of resentment which already was getting a hold on her. The day that Luke found out that she did not love his mother would, Rachel felt sure, be the beginning of an altered feeling in him about herself. It would disappoint him so terribly, and would be a continual source of worry. And she determined that she would never worry him.
And after all was it not very small of her to be so angry about such a little matter? It was much too small a matter for Luke to understand. She must try and take a broader outlook on life and not let little things affect her.
While these thoughts were engrossing her, the front door opened and Rachel heard a firm footstep which was not Luke's crossing the hall.
