His tone was bantering, but he felt a twinge that had nothing to do with his gunshot wound.

His tone was almost bantering.

His tone had been bantering, but his cOncern was obvious.

The tone was equally bantering, but the expression seemed to say that she had understood that silent message.

Lit Shaeffer's expression was strange, but his tone was bantering.

Robert's values have been described as "conservative", but his tone is at times "bantering" and he displays "a measure of flair and wit" (Krueger).

"Yes, it's a needle," he said, his tone almost bantering.

His tone was bantering, and Blaesus still smiled, but not as widely as he had.

"My mistake," Crockerman said, his tone almost bantering.

His tone was bantering, but beneath it lay a fear for her well-being which was so strong that it rendered him almost paralyzed.