[CHAPTER XIII.]
A BOX OF VIOLETS.
Luke was surprised not to find Rachel waiting for him after Church, but as he made his way down the aisle, he caught sight of Mrs. Stone.
"I was hoping to see your wife," she said. "Is she not with you?"
"No, she must have gone home."
"I expect she was tired after all her efforts this afternoon; I hope she has not caught cold." They were making their way out of the Church.
"Caught cold," said Luke alarmed.
"It will be a wonder if she hasn't. It simply poured with rain all the time. I knew it was useless to try and stop her as she was bent on getting up this choir. What a charming girl you have given us in your wife."
"I only trust she has not done herself any harm," said Luke anxiously. He hardly heard the praise of Rachel.
"I daresay she is stronger than she looks. I wanted to congratulate her on the success of her efforts. The choir really sang remarkably well. I was feeling quite anxious about it as I knew how keen her disappointment would be if it turned out a failure. I thought it so plucky of her to walk all that way to fetch those girls."