Luke's wife

by Evelyn R. Garratt

But as she saw her mother-in-law leave the house with the heavy joint in the basket, her anger melted. She remembered that she was only trying to help her exceedingly incapable daughter-in-law, and after all, she needed to be told how to cook the beef she had bought. It was no use ordering a nice dinner for Luke if she could not cook it for him!

When Mrs. Greville opened the door again with her basket considerably lightened, vexation at her own incapacity had taken the place of anger in Rachel's heart.

"I'm afraid," she said, as she took the basket from her mother-in-law's hands, "that you must think that Luke has married the wrong wife."

Mrs. Greville smiled kindly. Rachel's sudden humility touched her and she was pleased.

"Well, my dear, you may make yourself easy as Luke anyhow does not think so. He is under the impression that he has married perfection, and we won't undeceive him. It is just as well for a man not to know that his wife is not so capable as he imagines. Besides which," she added, as she took Rachel's apron off the kitchen door and tied it round herself, "if you pay attention to what I am teaching you there is no reason why you should not be as good a cook as I am. But don't look so melancholy I beg of you, nor so dreamy. I must tell you that there is no time in the life of a clergyman's wife to dream. You will find that every moment is important if you mean to look well to the ways of your household and also to help in the parish. A Vicar's wife has very little time in which to play."

Rachel pulled herself together though almost every word that had been spoken seemed to hurt her. She determined to pay all attention to what Mrs. Greville was going to teach her, not only for Luke's sake but that she could dispense with the cooking lessons as quickly as possible.

"There now," said Mrs. Greville, after showing Rachel exactly what to do, "you'll get on I'm sure."

Then noticing a look of depression on the girl's face, she added kindly, "And don't be downhearted. Although you've been taught nothing of this nature, unfortunately, you'll soon get into it. But whatever you do don't allow yourself to get depressed. A man when he comes home, after a hard day's work and a great many tiresome people to satisfy, needs a bright face to welcome him. For his sake, my dear, be plucky and do all you can to make up for lost time. Why girls are not taught really useful things I can't imagine. However, matters are improving in that direction. By-the-bye," she added, as she stood by the front door, "it's the working party this afternoon and you'll be expected. Luke will tell you where Mrs. Stone lives. It isn't far, and if you are not too long over your dinner you'll just have time to get there. Mind you're not late. A Vicar's wife has to set the example of being punctual. Good-bye again, and I hope you and Luke will enjoy your dinner. You may tell him that it was cooked by his mother; that will give him an appetite."

Rachel felt all on edge and wondered how she could bear many more mornings like the one she was spending. Yet she was well aware that Mrs. Greville meant all she said and did in kindness. And now and then she had noticed quite a nice smile flit across her face. Yes, she must try to love her; but this type of person she had never come across. Somehow she had never imagined for a moment that the mother, whom Luke loved so devotedly, would be like Mrs. Greville. She could not but compare her with her own sweet pussy mother, with her low, musical voice. Then a great longing for her mother took possession of her, and she ran up into her room and locking the door gave way to a flood of tears.

But there was twelve o'clock striking and Luke might be coming in, anyhow his dinner would have to be ready by one o'clock, and she had a hundred and one things to do before going to the working party. She must look her best and be her best.