Luke's Wife
9781465681393
213 pages
Library of Alexandria
Overview
Sing, said Luke Greville, as he leant on his oars and looked at his wife sitting in the stern of the boat. And Rachel sang. The boat lay almost still in the silver pathway flung by the moon across the sea. There was scarcely a ripple. Rachel's voice trembled a little when she began to sing, as a sense of mystery and wonder enveloped her. The dark sea beyond them; the earnest face of her husband lit up by the moonlight; the fact that they were quite alone on the vast waste of water, combined to fill her with awe and to make her voice a little unsteady for a moment. Her singing thrilled her husband as he sat listening. His dream had come true; and this last evening of their honeymoon they were alone on the sea; in quiet; with God. When the last note of her song trembled away across the waters, there was silence between them while they looked at one another as only those who love and trust can look. Words were not needed between them. They were so absolutely united in spirit that outward expression of their love was unnecessary. Then Luke took up his oars and rowed vigorously towards land. "All things must have an end," he said, "even the happiest honeymoon that was ever spent. I suppose we must go back to our rooms." "Must we yet? Let us stay out till the last minute. Perhaps we shall never have such an evening again together, with the moonlight on the sea." "We'll come here next year," he answered laughing, "and after a year of happiness it ought to be better still. Why are you pessimistic?" Rachel was silent for a moment, then she said, "I'm afraid of your work." "Afraid? Why?" He leant towards her in surprise. "Because I have a feeling that it will take you from me," she answered. She knew perfectly well by this time that his work was his passion. The thought of it had at times absorbed him even during their days of bliss. They had been so happy together, almost like light-hearted children, but Rachel had noticed the last few days that his parish and his people were engaging many of his thoughts and that he was getting a little restless. If his work weighed on his heart even during his wedding tour, thought Rachel, was there not a fear that it would be pre-eminent in his thoughts when in the midst of it, to the exclusion of her? 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."
