Then there were the servants. Polly had a rooted objection to Mrs. Greville, and as for her new maid she was one who disliked any interference. Rachel felt that she would certainly lose her, and if it were not for Polly's devotion to little Pat and herself, there would have been small chance of keeping even her. Anyhow the peace and the intense happiness would be gone. She would feel that she had lost both husband and child. Mrs. Greville would dominate them all and would rule the house. Rachel knew by this time, moreover, that her ideas on the bringing up of children were in direct opposition to her own.
What should she do if Luke asked her outright to invite her mother-in-law to live with them? Should she tell him of the difficulties which would certainly arise? Would it be possible to talk them over together without hurting him too much? But no. She knew that Luke would not in the least understand them. It would only make matters worse. She must either put her foot down and say decidedly that it could not be, or give way.
Rachel in her distress knew there was only one thing to do. Only one answer to give. She must just pray for strength to do what she knew was her duty; and to take up the cross without murmuring.
Luke was spared the ordeal he had begun to dread; for at breakfast the next morning Rachel looked at him across the table with a smile.
"I have been thinking about your mother," she said. "Why not ask her to come and live with us. Would she like it?"
Luke's whole face lit up.
"That is exactly what I should wish, dearest," he said. "But will it put more on you? Happily we have Emma, and two servants ought to be able to work the house well."
"Anyhow," said Rachel, "we might try the experiment."
"I'll write this morning," said Luke joyfully. "No, it would come better from you. And Rachel," he said, with a little hesitation, "call her 'mother' will you? That would bring her I know. She would feel we really wanted her."
Rachel laughed. Had she not laughed she would have cried.