But immediately I took up a humbler tone and became ashamed of myself.

Miles hoped from the humbler tone the man might be going to edge toward true confession after all.

He tried to smile, and in a humble tone, 'Forgive me,' he repeated.

"I hang my head in shame at their inadequacy," the younger man said, feigning a humble tone.

In her soft, humble tone, Richard could hear the hesitancy of fear.

He spoke in a neutral tone, not humble but not haughty, either.

But on Thursday he appeared to adopt a more humble tone.

'He will be taking his noon meal,' Jarveena said in a suitably humble tone.

No doubt the humble tone of the question was intended to make it sound less impertinent, but the effort did not succeed.

Then in a humble tone he asked if he mightn't pick up his cigarette.