“Father, meet hershe’ll be my wife, your daughter-in-law.”
“Father, this is my future wife, your daughter-in-lawAgatha!” declared Marius, his face alight with joy.
“What?!” exclaimed Professor Roland Ashford, his voice sharp with disbelief. “If this is a jest, its in wretched taste.”
The man eyed the girls rough hands, dirt caked under her nails, with open disdain. To him, she seemed utterly unfamiliar with soap and water.
*Good heavens! Thank God my dear Agnes never lived to see such disgrace! We raised this boy with every refinement* he thought bitterly.
“Its no jest!” Marius shot back defiantly. “Agatha stays with us, and in three months, well wed. If you refuse to attend, so be it!”
“Hullo!” Agatha smiled warmly and bustled toward the kitchen. “Ive brought pasties, blackberry jam, dried mushrooms” She listed off items from a worn sack.
Roland clutched his chest as she smeared jam across the snow-white tablecloth.
“Marius! Come to your senses! If this is revenge, its too cruel Where did you dredge up this ignorant girl? She shant stay under my roof!”
“I love Agatha. And my wife has every right to live here!” Marius smirked mockingly.
Roland understood thenhis son was taunting him. Without another word, he retreated to his study.
Lately, their bond had frayed. After his mothers death, Marius had grown wildquitting university, speaking coarsely, living recklessly. Roland had hoped for reform, for the return of the bright, dutiful boy he once knew. But each day, his son slipped further away. And now thisbringing home some rustic girl. He knew his father would never approve, so hed chosen the one thing Roland couldnt abide
Soon, they married. Roland refused the wedding, rejecting the unwanted bride. He seethed that Agnes placeonce graced by a proper ladywas taken by this unlearned creature, scarcely able to string two words together.
Agatha, undeterred by his scorn, tried to win him over, only making it worse. Roland saw nothing in her but ignorance and ill manners.
Marius, playing the dutiful husband briefly, soon returned to drink and brawling. Roland overheard their quarrels and secretly rejoiced, hoping Agatha would leave.
“Roland, your son wants a divorce! Hes casting me outand Im with child!” Agatha burst in one day, tears streaming.
“And where, pray tell, will you go? Surely youve family to return to? A child doesnt grant you rights here after parting. Forgive me, but I shant interfere,” he said, privately relieved to be rid of her.
Agatha, crushed and bewildered by her father-in-laws hatred, gathered her things. She couldnt fathom why Marius had treated her so callouslylike a stray dog, discarded at whim. Was she not human, with a heart and soul?
***
Eight years passed Roland now lived in a dreary cottage. Age had weakened him, and Marius, ever swift to seize advantage, had him committed to spare himself the burden.
The old man resigned himself, knowing there was no going back. Hed spent his life teaching thousandslessons of love, respect, and care. Letters of gratitude still arrived from former pupils Yet his own son remained beyond reach.
“Roland, youve a visitor,” his housemate announced after a stroll.
“Who? Marius?” he croaked, though he knew it impossible. His son loathed him too deeply.
“Dunno. They asked for you. Why sit here? Go see!”
Leaning on his cane, Roland shuffled toward the dim parlour. Halfway down the stairs, he recognised her.
“Hello, Agatha,” he murmured, head bowed. Guilt weighed on him stillfor failing that earnest, simple girl all those years ago.
“Roland!” she gasped. “Youve changed so Are you ill?”
“A touch,” he answered with a sad smile. “How did you find me?”
“Marius told me. He refuses to speak to his own son, but the boy begs to see his fatherand his grandfather. Johns done no wrong Were all he has,” she said softly. “Forgive me, I shouldnt trouble you.”
“Wait!” he pleaded. “How is he? The last photo showed him at three.”
“Hes just outside. Shall I fetch him?”
“Please!”
A fair-haired boy enteredMarius in miniature. John hesitated, then approached the grandfather hed never met.
“Hello, lad How tall youve grown,” Roland whispered, embracing him, tears spilling.
They talked for hours, strolling the autumn-dappled lanes near the home. Agatha spoke of her strugglesher mothers early death, raising a child alone, tending the farm.
“Forgive me, Agatha. I wronged you. I prided myself on intellect and breeding, but only lately have I learnedits kindness and spirit that truly matter.”
“Roland Weve an offer,” she said nervously. “Come live with us. Youre aloneso are we. Wed cherish having family near.”
“Grandfather, come!” John tugged his hand. “Well fish, gather mushrooms The countrysides beautiful, and theres plenty of room!”
“Ill come,” Roland smiled. “I failed with my son. Perhaps I can give John what I withheld from Marius. Besides Ive never seen the country. I think Ill like it.”
“You will!” John laughed.
