September 10th, 1868

Today was about the same as yesterday. Bo awoke early and headed to the shipyard. Ellen and I had a quick breakfast. Ruby entered the store, the bell above the door dinging as she entered. Then the three of us officially opened the store. To pass the time, we swept up the whole bookstore. 

Ellen cleaned off the pay counter with a rag while chatting a bit with Ruby. I wandered the book shelves, reading the titles of the books. I was just about to ask if I could start reading one of them, a book titled The Little Mermaid, when the bell on the door dinged again and a young couple entered the store.

They looked like a very happy couple. Honestly I was a little jealous of them. As they wandered the story section, the boy couldn't keep his eyes off the girl and every now and she'd glance over and smile a brilliant smile at him. After a while the girl noticed me watching both of them. 

My face had grown hot and I hid behind one of the book shelves. I must have seemed very rude, staring at them with a mysterous longing gaze. I'm far too old for such things to bother me. Sometimes I just can't help but feel like a hopeless young girl.

I've always envied the love the happy couples in my family have found. Each love is a bit different, but still very beautiful. (They of course are too complex for me to describe with a few words, but I'll do my best.) Mother and Father's is unspoken and ancient. They rarely show physical affection, but every now and then Father places a feather light kiss on Mother's knuckles and she smiles adoringly at him. Bo and Ellen's love is one I have yet to learn about. Corin and John's love is sweet and quiet, and affectionate. It's also a bit mournful.

Mari and Wilhelm's love is also a quiet one, but a bit shy when it comes to affection. At some moments it's a bit of a teasing love. I'm not sure what Margit and Peter's love is like, but I'm sure it's a strong one, strong enough to grab hold of Margit. She used to travel a lot like her daughter Gertrude does now, until she settled with Peter. I've never met Lani's wife, but from his letter's I gather that he loves her very much. I suppose one might grow tired of all the adoring couples in my family, with all the love everywhere. Not me though, I just crave the same for myself.

Lunch was the same meal, some fruit, cheese, and the last of a bread loaf. After Ellen, Ruby, and I finished lunch, Ellen set a stew simmering on the stove for dinner. We had no more customers after lunch. Ruby left once again around five o'clock to tend to her own family. Bo came home half an hour after six o'clock, and we had another quiet dinner. After clearing the table I readied myself for bed and now here I am lying in it, waiting for sleep to grab hold of me.