9
That evening, Roman was all ears as his mother described their day with Judith. To hear her mother and sister tell it, Judith was just this side of being a saint.
“She was only getting started with such things when I met her,” Roman said, trying to sound disinterested.
“She works with a dozen different charities in Philadelphia,” his mother said as they sat down to dinner. “The city fathers there all know her and seek her out for advice regarding areas that are run-down and destitute. She has pushed hard to help get money allotted to folks in the poorer areas for cleanup and repairs so that the inhabitants can live in healthier conditions.”
“I suppose she told you all of this.” Roman knew his tone was a bit sarcastic.
“No, she said very little. Mrs. Van Cleve had learned about her after Sarah Knickerbacker mentioned she wanted to help locally.”
“She works a lot with the orphanages,” Claudette added, looking at her husband-to-be. “I think you’d enjoy meeting her, Daniel. She even speaks Italian.”
“How’d she come by that?” the young man asked.
“She’s college educated, and her father ran a steamboat service. She said there were quite a few Italians who worked for her father. In fact, she said there is a big neighborhood of Italians in Philadelphia.” She looked at Roman. “She did tell me that much.”
“Probably one of those poorer neighborhoods she works with,” Daniel said, shaking his head. “My people aren’t always welcomed and so struggle to get work and respect.”
“I think she’s a charming young woman. She mentioned having met you in Philadelphia,” Roman’s mother said, casting him a quick glance as she passed a platter of fried chicken. “She said it was a pleasant encounter but fears you’ll think otherwise now.”
“Now that I know she’s an Ashton?”
“Roman, she had no idea of what her grandfather was like.”
“But the women at the tea were only too happy to tell her,” Claudette added. “I felt sorry for her, but she handled it with grace and kindness.”
Roman helped himself to the chicken before passing the platter to his sister. “Why was she at the meeting?”
“She’ll be here all summer and wants to work with some of our charities. She doesn’t seem afraid to get her hands dirty or work.”
“A lot of people say that and then back away when they learn what that really entails.” Roman wasn’t buying into the idea of Judith’s sainthood.
“I think you should meet her again before judging her. She acts nothing like her grandfather,” Mother declared.
“I’m not trying to be unkind or judgmental,” Roman began, “but after a few weeks in that despicable man’s influence, I think you might find her changed.”
“She has a strong Christian faith, so I think she’ll be fine,” his mother countered. “But to ensure she has the support of Christians, your sister and I intend to befriend her.”
Roman didn’t know what to think about that. He had to admit, he was intrigued by Judith and all the positive things that his mother and sister had said about her. Mother was never one to offer idle praise, nor was she easily duped. The fact that she found this young woman to be of godly principles and faith suggested to him that it was, in fact, the case.
“So have you two set the date for the wedding?” Mother asked Claudette.
“We have. We would like to be married at the church on September eighteenth. We plan to go see Reverend Knickerbacker tomorrow and schedule it.” Claudette smiled at Daniel before adding, “If no one else is already getting married on that day.”
“It sounds like a perfect date. The heat of summer will be off of us, and it shouldn’t yet be overly chilly. Daniel, I’ll write your mother a letter for you to take her tomorrow. We should probably start discussing what kind of celebration we want this to be.”
“Our celebrations are always full of people and food,” he said, laughing. “I see no reason to make this one any different.”
Roman listened to them continue to discuss the wedding and reception as he ate. He’d already made up his mind that on Sunday he would again meet Judith Ashton Stanford and judge for himself if she was as sincere and perfect as they described. No one was without their flaws.
“Did you hear me, Roman?”
He looked up and shook his head. “I’m afraid not. What did you say?”
“I asked how the surgery went today. I know you’re very tired, so I assume it was difficult.” His mother reached out and patted his arm. “I hope it went well. We prayed for you.”
“Yes, it went as well as it could. Now we must wait and see what happens. If he makes it through the next forty-eight hours, he’ll have a good chance of recovering.”
