Luke's wife

by Evelyn R. Garratt

"Don't be afraid," she said. "I could not imagine myself not seeing the fun in things; my only fear is that I shall be too frivolous for them."

Luke did not smile; he was still wondering if he had done right in bringing Rachel into the midst of all the sadness of his world. She seemed made for happiness and flowers and the singing of birds. She had loved the country and the trees and the beauties of the world; and now he had brought her into a sordid town, and into a poky little house with the saddest of outlooks. He had never realised, as he did this afternoon, what he had done.

"Now what are you considering?" she said playfully, as his eyes still dwelt gravely on her face. "Are you disappointed in me too? Well, if so you will have to put up with me 'till death us do part.' Are you glad Luke?" She looked at him over the tea pot, leaning forward towards him, with the sweetest of smiles.

"It is just that; I am not sure that I am glad," he said slowly.

Rachel laughed again. She knew he did not mean what his words implied.

"Well, here I am, and you must make the best of me. But please don't look at me any more, but eat your tea or you won't get through your letters. I wish I could help you to write them."

"That unfortunately you could not do as they are private. However, there is something else you might do. Do you think you can come with me to the choir practice and play the organ? Crewse had to go home on business, and will not be back in time, so if you don't come I shall have to do my best. But bad is the best; besides if I am paying attention to the organ, I can't look at the boys. You do play the organ, don't you?"

"I should love to do it," said Rachel. Here was at least an opportunity of helping Luke. She had begun to wonder when the chance of doing so would come her way, as all the posts in the parish seemed to be filled up, and those that were not were appropriated by her mother-in-law.

"You must not expect a good choir," said Luke. "There are not many musical people, and what there are, are caught up naturally by the mother parish. However, we are doing what we can, and you won't anyhow have to suffer by listening to anthems. I have put down my foot at that. If anthems are sung I believe in them being sung perfectly, so that people may not be prevented worshipping God as they listen, by hearing discordant sounds and wrong notes. So you will be spared that."

Rachel did not think that she would mind even that, so long as Luke was in the church, but she did not say so.