How can you care for a rough man like me?' he asked me. 'How can you love a man who can bring you no lands but the farm a soldier's pension can buy? Who can give your children no title of nobility?' Because love does not do sums, I should have told him. Love makes choices, and then gives its all. Had he seen himself as I first saw him though, he could have had no questions.
In the text, the character expresses doubt about his worthiness of love due to his lack of material wealth and noble status. He questions how someone could care for him when he seems to have little to offer in terms of traditional value or honor. This reflects a common insecurity about self-worth and the ability to provide for a partner in societal terms.
The reply emphasizes that love transcends material considerations and societal expectations. It highlights the idea that true love is about choices and commitment rather than financial calculations. This perspective suggests that genuine affection begins with an emotional connection, which is far more significant than titles or possessions.
