"And now I shall leave you," said Mrs. Greville rising. She glanced at Rachel, and noticed that she was looking tired and not particularly bright, so she added kindly, "Don't worry. It seems strange at first, no doubt, but you will soon get into our ways. You look as if you needed a night's rest after your journey. I hope Luke will not keep you sitting up for him to a late hour. He forgets everything when he is interested in his work. I shall have to give him a hint that he must go slowly for a time, and consider his wife."
Rachel flushed. The idea of his mother telling him of his duty to his wife was repugnant in the extreme. She could not endure the thought. It hurt her pride.
"Please do nothing of the sort," she exclaimed. "I don't wish Luke to come home a minute earlier for my sake. His work must come first."
Mrs. Greville not knowing how her words had stung her daughter-in-law, and being quite unconscious of the storm that she had raised in her heart, gave her a warm kiss as she left, saying, "That's right. That is the way to keep Luke's love. I am glad to hear you give out your views like that. I was a little afraid you might not see things in that light, but be somewhat exigent. Goodnight. I know you will do all you can to help my dear boy in his work. And be sure you feed him well."
Rachel turned away, and put her hands up to her hot face. "I can't, I can't love her," she murmured. "I never shall. I've never met that type of person before. Oh! I hope she won't spoil it all!"
Rachel indulged in a few tears, and then set to work to think what she could give her husband on his return from the meeting. She went to look in the larder and found a good sized piece of cheese and some macaroni.
Evidently Mrs. Greville had thought of macaroni and cheese for their supper, but Rachel had no idea how to make it.
"We must have the cheese for supper Polly," she said. "Lay the table in good time and then if Mr. Greville is late you can go to bed. I'm going to finish my unpacking."
About half an hour later Polly knocked at her door saying, with a broad smile, "Mrs. Greville has just been and left two meat pies, Ma'am, and said I was to be sure to ask you to see that the master eats them both as he'll be mighty hungry; but I think you ought to have one of 'em."
Rachel laughed—how queer and surprising everything was—particularly Polly.