half-bantering

“Ah — well,” she went on, in a half-bantering tone.

Westward Ho! 2007

She at such moments remembered how she had beaten Puck, and how in her half-bantering but still too serious manner she had apologized for doing so, and had explained the reason.

Framley Parsonage 2004

This Mrs Robarts said rather gravely, whereas Lucy had been speaking in a half-bantering tone.

Framley Parsonage 2004

‘Of course not,’ said Miss Dunstable; and Frank at once perceived that she spoke in a tone of voice differing much from that half-bantering, half-good-humoured manner that was customary with her.

Doctor Thorne 2004

But ere he entered his cabin, light, unnatural, half-bantering, yet most piteous sound was heard.

Moby Dick; or the Whale 2002

After the initial discussion of the elections there is a little exchange, in the half-bantering, half-grumpy tone Cubans are so familiar with:

Fidel in the Evening Guillermoprieto, Alma 1998

But, Ty— Tara appealed to him in a half-bantering tone.

Calder Born, Calder Bred Janet Dailey 1983

But, Ty— Tara appealed to him in a half-bantering tone.

Calder Born, Calder Bred Janet Dailey 1983

Uttered in his light, half-bantering tones, the bitter flavour of the words had passed her by, but now, as she studied the rather stern set of his features, they returned to her with fresh meaning and she felt that their mocking philosophy was to a certain extent indicative of the man's attitude towards life.

The Splendid Folly Margaret Pedler

"I wonder what you like best, next to acidulated drops," he said at length, with one of his half-bantering smiles.

The Daughters of Danaus Mona Caird