"But why not?" said Luke. "I am quite sure she would be delighted. I can't think why the plan was not thought of before."
Mrs. Greville smiled.
"Have you ever come across a daughter-in-law who would welcome such an idea? I haven't. No, it would not answer."
"Perhaps not with most people; but you are different. I can't imagine Rachel not liking the suggestion. Of course she would be only too delighted."
Mrs. Greville shook her head. "It is impossible," she said. "I like Rachel and admire her in many ways, but I am perfectly sure that our feelings for one another would be strained and uncomfortable. I don't know if you are aware she has never once called me mother. I am Mrs. Greville to her and nothing more."
"What?" exclaimed Luke.
Mrs. Greville, seeing her son's astonishment, was sorry that she had mentioned the fact to him.
"Oh it really does not signify," she hurried to say. "I daresay it has never struck her. And I have not a word to say against her. She is a very nice girl and an excellent wife. But you see the kind of footing we are on. She would not welcome me I am quite sure."
"I am convinced that you are mistaken," said Luke. The idea had never entered his mind, that his wife and mother were not on the closest of terms with one another. His mother, he felt sure, was depressed from her late illness and was looking at things through dark spectacles.
"You must put those ideas quite away from you," he said, "and you must come and live with us. Wouldn't you like it?"