If she ever wanted a friend it's now.

I'd go meself but I'd do no good--nor nothin' I'd tell her would do her any good.

It's a man she wants to lean on, not a woman.

I can almost lift my John off his feet with one hand, but when I get into trouble I'm just so much putty, runnin' to him like a baby, weak as a rag, and he pattin' my cheek same as if I was a three-year-old.

Go and get yer arms around her and tell her ye don't believe a word of it, and that ye'll stand by her to the end, and ye'll make a good woman of her.
Turn yer back on her, and they'll have her in potter's field if she gets out of this scrape, for she can't fight long--she hasn't got the strength.
"She could hardly get up-stairs the night I put her to bed--she was that tremblin', and she's no better to-day.