"That's a good purpose."

Ned puts a great store in not relying on anyone, not owing any favors. It's not surprising, perhaps, given he hasn't had anyone to rely on but himself since he was nine. That kind of situation breeds independence of an almost pathological variety. Then, without even realizing he's going to ask it, he blurts, "You have a family?"

Was Charlie trying to improve things for them? Get away from them? Or maybe he's like Ned, and there's no one.