Will you ?" Jed passed his hand across his chin.

It was obvious that her asking his counsel was simply a last resort, a desperate, forlorn hope.

She had no real confidence in his ability to help.

He would have been the last to blame her for this; her estimate of his capabilities was like his own, that was all.
"W-e-e-ll," he observed, slowly, "as to givin' my advice, when a man's asked to give away somethin' that's worth nothin' the least he can do is say yes and try to look generous, I cal'late.

If I can advise you any, why, I'll feel proud, of course." "Thank you.