She would have lied willingly enough but for the sheer futility of falsehood.

She commenced the task of bracing herself for the struggle.
"You had better," she said, "frame your question a little more exactly.

I will then try to answer it." He was stung by her altered demeanour, embarrassed by an avalanche of words.

A hundred questions were burning upon his lips.

It was by a great effort of self-control that he remained coherent.
"The last time I visited you," he began, "was three months ago.