I only want to do so indirectly.

It wasn't"-- he faltered--"it wasn't because you were dissatisfied with me ?" he concluded, with a quaver.
"Pinkerton!" cried I.
"No, no, not a word just now," he hastened to proceed.

"Let me speak first.

I appreciate, though I can't imitate, the delicacy of your nature; and I can well understand you would rather die than speak of it, and yet might feel disappointed.

I did think I could have done better myself.