The menu rehearsal

Original fiction extract.

The waiter practised describing the new menu before the restaurant opened. He knew the first three dishes without looking at the board. At the fourth, his voice faltered. There were two similar names, and he could not remember which sauce belonged to which plate. The chef brought both dishes to the counter so he could see the difference. He tried the explanation again, pointing to the colours. When the first customers arrived, he spoke more slowly but no longer needed the board.

Identify a word or phrase from the extract which suggests the same idea as the words in bold:

The waiter’s explanation became hesitant and less confident.