I can tell of ten years' patient kindness towards myself.

I can tell--I can tell--" Sam was the worst orator in the world.

He broke down, sir.

He knew what he meant very well; and so I hope do you, reader, but he couldn't say it.

He had done what many of us do, tried to make a fine speech when his heart was full, and so he failed.
But Alice didn't fail,--not she, though she never spoke a word.