As for Rachel she was in a dream of happiness. In fact it seemed as if life had suddenly opened to her in all its rich fulness. The presence of her husband, her child, the country air laden with all sorts of perfume; the feeling of rest and quiet after the strain and stress of Trowsby; and the consciousness that she was getting her strength back and had not to be always thinking of ways and means, filled her with thankfulness. Moreover, she had a most faithful nursemaid in Polly who she counted distinctly as one of her blessings. Polly's devotion to Pat showed itself in many ways; and Rachel felt that she could trust the child perfectly to her when she was feeling unable to make any effort on his behalf. For though she knew she was gradually getting stronger she was conscious that her amount of strength was at present very small and that any unnecessary effort was bad for her.
"I am going to Trowsby," said Luke one morning. "I am not happy about my mother. Her letters strike me as rather depressed."
"I am afraid that she must miss you very much," said Rachel.
"I fancy that is what is making her depressed. Anyhow I shall go and find out. I shall rather like to be in Trowsby again," he added.
"You mustn't like it so much that you'll want to be back again," said Rachel.
Luke laughed. He would have given the world to be back again, but he did not tell her so. Anyhow it would do him good just to have a look at the people. And if he started quite early in the morning, by 7.30, he would have a long day before he need return by the 8 o'clock train.
The streets of Trowsby did for him what the trees and flowers did for his wife. He felt he could breathe again, and the depression that had weighed him down rolled away. His first visit was to the church. It was empty. After kneeling in prayer, he sat down and lived over again the Sundays he had spent there. He remembered the crowded building, the earnest listeners, the hearty singing, and compared it with his present village Church.
Then with a sigh he rose and made his way to his mother's rooms. That she was missing him terribly, he saw at once.
"You must come and live with us," he said. "Why not?"
"My dear I could not do that," she answered. "If Rachel asked me that would be another thing. But she is not likely to do that."