Chapter 15
Roloff sat in his easy chair with a book. He looked as relaxed and content as possible. In truth, though, he was longing for Aspiria to return. Caryell had gone to his room, and was taking a nap. It had been a busy few days, and Roloff was anxious to relax and unwind with Aspiria. He wanted to take her on a walk, and enjoy her company and conversation. They had both been out and walking that day, and he knew that she may come home too tired for a walk. That was why he was reading. If Aspiria was tired, then she might at least sit next to him, while he read. Then he could put the book down, and talk with her. If she came home with energy, then he could easily suggest that they go on a walk.
The book was not engaging him, and his mind frequently wandered. A portrait of Aspiria kept catching his eye. She was always beautiful, but in this portrait, her beauty had been captured to perfection. Aspiria had the unique quality of being both an early and late bloomer. She was pretty and attractive as a young girl—the prettiest of all the young girls her age—but, she had grown more beautiful over time. Roloff believed that this was a fact, and not merely the opinion of the man who loved her then, and loved her even more now. In addition to her physical beauty, she had a grace and a way that she carried herself that seemed to grow in charm as the years went by. She was as a dark red rose that was beautiful and perfect before it opened. Then, as it opened, its beauty and features continued to unfold and increase. Aspiria charmed everyone she met, man, woman, and child. Her beauty was not merely his opinion, it was apparent to him, and to everyone she knew.
Aspiria had grown up poor, but not excessively so. Her father was hard-working, and her mother was a charmer, also. They farmed, and Aspiria was comfortable working on it. Aspiria was the youngest of four children, the older three being boys. The boys were hard-working and good students. Each of them left the country as they completed their schooling, and went to the city. They were successful in their careers, and would occasionally send some money their parents’ way. But Aspiria did not have much in the way of fancy clothing, or entertainment. She, however, never considered herself unfortunate. Roloff had known her oldest brother from school. They were not close friends, but were good acquaintances. Aspiria had not caught his eye when he was in school—she was too young—but later he would see her occasionally in town, and she began to attract his attention. When he became aware of some of her families struggles, he offered to help. The youngest boy was getting set to leave home, and Aspiria, with her mother and father alone, would struggle to keep up with the farm.
Roloff had good opportunities, but saw to it that he could help her family on the farm. It was likely that he would have done this anyway, even if a beautiful young woman would not have been there. But it didn’t hurt his urgency and motivation. He spent hours each week on the farm, earning a meager wage. He often ate dinner with Aspiria and her parents. There was not much time for flirting and courting during the work, but their love for each other grew and grew. Almost in unison, both of Aspiria’s parents’ health began to fade. Aspiria took to more and more nursing and Roloff took on more of the farming duties. His other occupations were suffering, and it was too much work for one man alone.
Aspiria, one day, came out to where he was working. She brought him a fruit drink, and they sat down to talk. She told him how much all that he did for her family meant to her. She knew that he was suffering in his other endeavors. She clearly did not have a plan for herself, or her parents, but she loved Roloff, and wanted the best for him. She told him that she did not know how they would continue to pay him. Aspiria was beginning to take over her parent’s finances, and was only recently aware of the meager salary that Roloff was receiving.
Roloff inquired about her parent’s condition. Aspiria began to talk, and as she did, she shed a few tears, though her emotions were never completely unchecked. Roloff gently brought his hand to her cheek and wiped away a tear. He had never touched Aspiria before. Aspiria was conscious of this, and was briefly taken aback. Roloff noticed that this had affected her. His love for her burned within him. He reached down to hold her hand, which she made available to him. They held hands, and she talked. They looked at each other, as only those who are deeply in love with each other do. Roloff asked if he could take her on a walk that evening, after her parents had retired. Aspiria was slightly taken back again, and hesitated, not knowing how to respond. Yet her love and confidence grew as she looked into Roloff’s eyes. She felt safe, loved, and protected by him. He told her that he would not have dinner with her this evening, but that he would return at 7:30 to take her on a walk.
