"Of course the concerts ought never to have been allowed. They call them sacred, but from the programme that is issued every week I see that this is by no means the fact. My husband is very vexed that the Town Council gave way about it." "I can't possibly ask Luke to shorten his sermons," said Rachel. "Can't you? I just wondered if you could not Influence him in the matter. I disapprove of these concerts as much as anyone, but I feel it is such a terrible pity if just for want of a hint the men should leave the Church altogether. You see they have written several anonymous letters of which the Vicar has taken no notice." "Anonymous letters! Luke never told me. How mean of them." "I dislike anonymous letters intensely. But what makes the matter so important is that I heard a rumour that the choir would leave en bloc unless their request was attended to." "How despicable of them. I hope, I sincerely hope that Luke won't cut his sermons short by one sentence. Of course he won't. Besides I shan't tell him." "But, my dear, he will soon find out if his choir desert him." "They surely won't do that?" "I am afraid they will." Rachel was silent. She knew how bitterly grieved Luke would be at such conduct. He loved the men of his choir. "I can't think what is to be done," she said anxiously. "Why not give him a hint?" "I could never give Luke a hint. No, I must tell him out right if it has to be done. But it will pain him dreadfully; and to happen just now when he is so pressed with work." "I am so sorry about it," said Mrs. Stone; and as she left she wondered if she had acted wisely by talking over the difficulty with Rachel. It might have been better to have told Mrs. Greville senior. However, she remembered the threat of the men of the choir to leave en bloc, and she felt that to be taken by surprise in that way would probably have caused more pain both to Rachel and her husband than if they were prepared for what might happen. When Luke came in tired and a little depressed about a meeting at which he had been, Rachel was silent about Mrs. Stone's information. She felt it would be cruel to tell her husband what she had heard when he was so played out. Neither did he give her any information as to the cause of his depression. He buried himself in a book till eleven o'clock, when Rachel went to bed. Then he arose and made his way into his study. But the next morning Rachel noticed that at breakfast he was in good spirits so she ventured to speak of what was on her mind. But she need not have feared to break the news to Luke. Apparently it was no news to him. He had read the first anonymous letter through but had thrown the others into the fire. So he knew what they were about. Rachel was greatly relieved. "What shall you do Luke?" she asked. He looked up at her across the table with a smile. "What do you expect me to do?"