Course if you want to, that's different altogether.

What I'm tryin' to say," he added, with a desperate attempt to make his meaning perfectly clear, "is not to pay any attention to ME at all but do just what YOU want to, that's all." Even on the verge of tears as she was, she could not forbear smiling a little at this proclamation of complete self-effacement.
"I fear I must pay some attention to you," she said, "if I am to confide in you and--and perhaps ask your help, your advice, afterwards.

I have reached a point when I must ask some one's advice; I have thought myself into a maze and I don't know what to do--I don't know WHAT to do.

I have no near relatives, no friends here in Orham--" Jed held up a protesting hand.
"Excuse me, Mrs.Armstrong," he stammered; "I don't know as you recollect, probably it might not have meant as much to you as it did to me; but a spell ago you said somethin' about countin' me as a friend." "I know I did.

And I meant it.