His insight into her own trials caused her to sympathise with him in spite of his absurdity.

She made an honest effort to assist him to self-analysis.

She said, "A great many things come into our minds at times, Mr.Smith, that seem important, but, as you say, if we do not speak about them, afterwards we see that they are silly.

Of course with you, if you think some of your thoughts are revelations, it must make you often fancy that the others may be very important too, but it does not follow that they are, and, as you say, time will weed them out if you are trying to do right." She wondered if he would resent her _ifs_.

She stood looking down the bank in the short silence that followed, feeling somewhat timorous.