There was a desperate, strained tone to the voice.

"The whole thing is whacky," Bert was saying in a strained tone.

He heard the high strained tones of his own voice.

She nodded, her own stomach fluttering at the strained tone in Erlestoke's voice.

Damona asked in a re- strained tone of voice.

I heard the intercom buzz and then came the first officer's strained tones.

"I'll be going now, Empress," he said in a strained tone, turning to leave.

I can see why,' Falben said in a strained tone of voice.

The message had been in a strained tone, negating identification.

But in it, Bork heard a slightly strained tone.