gruffness

You mix up English working-class gruffness with African-American soul from the Deep South.

"No, of course not," said Stover with only outward gruffness.

But the managing editor, despite his accustomed gruffness and sharpness, was at heart the kindest of men.

"I don't believe in long engagements myself," he had said, with a certain suspicious gruffness in his tones.

The rugged lines softened, and when he turned to the men waiting for him, there was no gruffness in his voice.

He was exceedingly gruff and awkward, but no amount of gruffness could dismay James Mandeville.