It does feel like the curling of a monkey paw. Is Billy glad that the other is finally acknowledging that he has wisdom to offer? Sure. It's not like he craves validation from others as much as some people, but it does suck to always be underestimated when you know you can do so much more than other people give you credit for. And he's also glad that the other man is actually taking his advice into account, since Edward Little going around town just moping and looking sad isn't going to help anyone or anything.

But it coming with.. the rest of it.. That's the curling part, alright. It feels kind of awkward to have involuntarily coached hid former superior through what some might see as a very wet-eyed therapy session. And it feels even more awkward to have the other say that he'll do his best.. for him...

He never asked to be involved in this, help..

But considering what he has accomplished right now, Billy will just take it. He'll take what he made the other see, and then hope Little might just forget his resolve when it comes to him in particular in time. So there's just a bit of an awkward nod..

And then, added: "You shouldn't linger here for too long."

Billy doesn't fully want to make this seem like he's kicking the other out, even though that's technically exactly what's happening. He can't endure much more awkward talk like this. Billy is at his limit for the day.

But he wouldn't be himself if he couldn't come up with a convenient excuse to add to it. "People might talk after the town meeting."

Yeah, Edward, you don't want to have been seen by people staying this long in the house of a person some townsfolk were more than happy to practically lynch...