When we were getting to know each other he developed a small joke.

One of the pilots near me made a small joke and turned back to his coffee.

He made a small joke, then quickly felt very bad about it.

The small joke reassured her more than anything else he might have done.

It was a small joke, but a brave effort under the circumstances.

So, I threw him a small joke at my expense.

He brought the small joke out pat, as if he'd used it many times before.

He chuckled a little, as if at a small private joke.

How much they had enjoyed working together, telling each other small jokes and stories.

You could tell he wanted to make a small joke, but decided against it.