She had sometimes shrunk from the task, but after all it was her duty.

Then she could not ask George for advice.
He had never believed in the lode and would, no doubt, tell her she was lucky to get an offer, and had better make the best bargain she could.
Farnam knew nothing about mining; he was absorbed in his orchard, and Mabel now and then declared that his judgment was only worth trusting about fruit trees.
Agatha paused and admitted that she had from the beginning meant to ask Thirlwell.

She could trust him; he was honest, but this was not all.
When he talked about important things he had a quiet, decided manner that she liked.

He would not be daunted by obstacles, and if her resolution wavered, he would not let her shirk.

She did not think him clever, but he would somehow carry out what he undertook.