If you do not want to tell me what troubles you, say, 'I'd rather not tell you, please,' like a man, and I will not persecute you about it.

But don't say there is nothing the matter when your little head is quite full of something that bothers you very much.

As I said, I will not press you, but as I love you, and wish to help you in every way I can, I think you had better tell me." Now, though I had really not thought I was doing wrong in listening to the conversation I was not meant to hear, a _something_ which one calls conscience made me feel ashamed of the whole matter.

I had a feeling of being in the wrong, which is apt to make one vexed and fretful, and it was this, quite as much as fear of my grave father, which made the colour rush to my face, and the tears into my eyes.
"Come, Regie," he said, "out with it.

Don't cry, whatever you do; that's like a baby.