It began to confess confess to me in a murmuring voice and I wondered wonder why it smiled smile continually and why the lips were so moist with spittle .

I confess confess , my dear fellow , that I am very much in your debt . ”

As for me , I was hungry , and contented content myself with silently demolishing demolish the tea , ham , and toast , while my mother and sister went on talking talk , and continued to discuss discuss the apparent or non-apparent circumstances , and probable or improbable history of the mysterious lady ; but I must confess confess that , after my brother ’s misadventure misadventure , I once or twice raised raise the cup to my lips , and put put it down again without daring to taste the contents , lest I should injure my dignity by a similar explosion explosion .

I confess confess I was often tempted tempt , while they were passing pass backwards and forwards on my body , to seize forty or fifty of the first that came in my reach , and dash them against the ground .

I confess confess it with shame -- shrunk icily into myself , like a snail ; at every glance retired colder and farther ; till finally the poor innocent was led lead to doubt doubt her own senses , and , overwhelmed overwhelmed with confusion confusion at her supposed mistake , persuaded persuade her mamma to decamp decamp .