Luke laughed at her fears, and after a few moments remarked, "There is only one thing I regret and that is that I am not taking you to a comfortable Vicarage. I don't mind a small house myself nor did my mother, but I'm afraid you will feel cramped."
"But they are going to build a vicarage soon," said Rachel.
"They will be a good time about it, I fear. You see the Parish has only just been divided, so it is not in proper working order yet; besides which, I think it may be as well for us to live in a small house, anyway at first. A Vicarage means a certain amount of expenditure not to mention dilapidations. Nevertheless I am sorry that the home I am taking you to is not larger. But after all we don't want to live in the lap of luxury. We are out to fight the great enemy of souls, you and I, and we can do that as well in a small house as in a large one. Perhaps better."
"How I wish I were more capable," sighed Rachel; "I don't know anything at all about Parish work. You ought to have married someone very different."
Luke laughed.
"It's too late to give me that advice. And let me tell you that I prefer a wife who comes to the work fresh, rather than one who is already tired and perhaps discouraged. I said so to my mother."
"I am afraid that your mother would not agree. Did she feel leaving you very much? And are her rooms close by?" Rachel listened for the answer rather anxiously.
"She was wonderfully unselfish about leaving the coast clear for you; but her rooms are not far off. You will soon love her."
"I am sure I shall make no end of mistakes," sighed Rachel, a little depressed at his answer.
"Don't you know that it has been said that a person who makes no mistakes makes nothing else?"