Rachel stood looking down at the sirloin of beef she had ordered from the butcher and which now lay on the kitchen table. She was rather dismayed at the size of it and wondered how it ought to be cooked. She was determined that Luke should be well fed so that his mother should have no excuse to accuse her of not taking proper care of her son.
Polly was upstairs doing the bedrooms, and Rachel was thankful that she was not near to see her perplexity. Then the front door opened and she heard Mrs. Greville calling her. Vexed at being taken by surprise, Rachel resolved to lock the front door in future. She went into the hall to meet her mother-in-law, closing the kitchen door behind her. Mrs. Greville gave her a hearty kiss.
"I thought I would just look round," she said, "to know if you would like any advice about dinner or would care for me to give you a lesson in cooking this morning. I am due at Mrs. Stone's at twelve to help her to cut out for the working party, but I can spare you an hour or so if you like. What have you got for dinner?"
"A sirloin of beef; and I thought of having a rice pudding, that is to say if Luke likes milky puddings. I see you have provided us with rice and tapioca."
"A sirloin! That will never do; it must be changed at once," said Mrs. Greville, making her way to the kitchen. "It is the most expensive part of beef that you can have. You and Luke won't be able to indulge in that kind of thing. You must remember that you are a poor parson's wife, and must cut your coat according to your cloth."
Rachel flushed and wondered if she would ever be able to call her house and her food her own.
"I'll take it round to the butcher;" said Mrs. Greville as she surveyed the sirloin. "He's very obliging, and I know he will change it for a piece of the rump or a little liver. Wrap it up in several pieces of paper and put it in a basket and I will take it round at once."
"But it's too heavy for you and it's raining."
"Never mind the rain. It must be done or Luke won't get any dinner and this is a heavy day for him. I'll come back in a few minutes and give you a hint or two about to-day's meal."
Rachel bit her lip. She could scarcely bear this interference, yet she knew she was herself to blame for it, as she was utterly incapable. But if only she could be left alone she would learn from her very mistakes; and why need Mrs. Greville always be reminding her of the necessity of economy. She was sure it could not be necessary: she ought anyhow to have had a good general at first so that she could have learnt from her how to do things. As it was she was not even allowed to order her own dinner.