'Speak softly to her, my dear,' said Madame Voss.
'Don't I always speak softly ?' said he, turning sharply round upon his spouse.
He made his attempt to speak softly when he met Marie about the house just before supper.

He put his hand upon her shoulder, and smiled, and murmured some word of love.

He was by no means crafty in what he did.

Craft indeed was not the strong point of his character.

She took his rough hand and kissed it, and looked up lovingly, beseechingly into his face.