in undertones meaning in English

小声小气地

While they were talking in undertones , there was the crack of a shot and a puff of white smoke in the hollow below near the pond , and the voices of hundreds of frenchmen halfway up the hill rose in a ringing shout , as though in merry chorus
正当他们在低声交谈时，在池塘旁边的洼地上啪的一声响了一枪，冒起一团白烟，接着又响了一枪，山坡上几百名法国人好像很快活地声呐喊。
So he played a more coaxing game ; and while never going beyond words , or attempting the renewal of caresses , he did his utmost orally . in this way clare persistently wooed her in undertones like that of the purling milk - at the cow s side , at skimmings , at butter - makings , at cheese - makings , among broody poultry , and among farrowing pigs - as no milkmaid was ever wooed before by such a man
克莱尔仍然坚持不懈地向她求婚，他低声求婚的声音就像是牛奶汩汩流动的声音在奶牛旁边，在撇奶油的时候，在制作黄油的时候，在制作奶酪的时候，在孵蛋的母鸡中间，在生产的母猪中间过去从来没有一个挤奶姑娘被这样一个男子求过婚。