"We'd better go back to the house," I said, trying for a normal tone.

She tried for a reasonable tone, but she sounded cold.

He was trying for a light-hearted tone; couldn't risk frightening her off.

He tried for a tone of indignation, but his voice came out in a worried squeak.

"All right, then," David said, trying for a more lawyerly tone.

"Well, they're still making big noises," she tried for a light tone, but it didn't come out that way.

"When do you not show too much," he asked, trying for a sarcastic tone.

She tried for a light tone but the words came out uneven, and very close to a plea.

"Pretty little head," he corrected, trying for a teasing tone.

Trying for a light tone, she added, "Anyway, shouldn't you be in school or something?"