He resists the urge to wipe the tear from her face, resists any impulse to comfort or console, and instead lets her think in silence. It is enough that she considers these ideas, which are clearly new to her.

It is enough if he can offer any distraction from her desire to change her state with her uncle's.

At her compliment--entirely unexpected--Faramir flushes a little, then laughs. "Had I my choice, I might have been a scholar rather than a soldier," he admits, a little rueful. "And am often told that I go on at too much length. If you find it so, do not fear to stop me! You would not be the first to do so."