Someone to care for

     "If we meet up with Indians, you might get taken."

    "I'm not afraid. Not with you to care for me."

    Now, that there remark just about threw me. I suppose nobody had ever said such a thing to me before, and it runs in the blood of a man that he should care for womenfolk. It's a need in him, deep as motherhood to a woman, and it's a thing folks are likely to forget. A man with nobody to care for is as lonesome as a lost hound dog, and as useless. If he's to feel of any purpose to himself, he's got to feel he's needed, feel he stands between somebody and any trouble.

(from The Sky-Liners, by Louis L'Amour)