She wanted to ask about the McCaffreys' children, but the question seemed too personal. Westerners were private sorts, in Evangeline's judgment, with more than their share of secrets. It scares me a little, she confessed. The idea of being so alone, I mean.June-bug favored her with another smile. Bein' alone ain't necessarily bad, you know. A person can come to understand herself real well that way. Some folks pass their whole lives without learnin' a thing about their own minds and spirits, but out here, all you've got to do is pay attention.
Evangeline hesitates to inquire about the McCaffreys' children, feeling that such a question is too intimate. Her perception of Westerners is that they tend to keep their lives private and often have many secrets. She openly expresses her fear of being alone, indicating a deeper concern about loneliness.
In response, June-bug encourages her by suggesting that solitude can be beneficial. She believes that being alone can lead to profound self-discovery, and that many people go through life without gaining insight into their own thoughts and feelings. June-bug implies that in the wilderness, the opportunity for self-reflection is always available if one is observant enough.