Read the excerpt from "A Wedding Gift" and answer the question.

When he raised his head his whole expression showed how upset he was. He stammered: "My dear, it's—it's from my best friend, who has had a very great misfortune. He has need of me immediately—for a matter of life or death. Will you excuse me if I leave you for half an hour? I'll be right back."

Which best describes a character trait demonstrated by the character's actions in this excerpt .

helplessness
selfishness
childishness
caring