"And you must forgive her," said Rachel. "We never take any notice of what Gwen says. She gets the most ridiculous notions into her head. I hope you are not letting the thought of her worry you."
"A great deal of what she said was sheer nonsense," he answered, "but I own what she hinted about your health distresses me. I only hope it is not true."
"My health? But what did she say? I am perfectly well."
"She has made me so anxious that I want you to go home with her for a few weeks."
"Go home! And leave you behind! No thank you. It would do me no good at all. Besides, I am perfectly well and don't need a change. What a stupid little thing she is; but do look over her folly and try and like her," said Rachel. "She has such good points. For instance, she is perfectly true."
"Possibly," said Luke, smiling; then he added, "I can't say I am exactly enamoured of her."
"No, but when you know her better you will see her virtues. I am afraid she has been really impertinent to you."
Luke did not answer. He leaned forward and looked at Rachel anxiously.
"Are you sure that you are feeling well? Gwen seems to think that you are tired out. Is that the fact?"
"Tired out? What with? I have only this tiny house to see after; in fact I don't think I have enough to do."