He caught the impression of laughter, like tinkling silver bells, and then a more sober note.

And all sounded sober notes about controlling costs.

But he wanted to round out the fantasy spree on a sober note: "No, let's invest that for retirement."

I don't think so, though," he concluded on a more sober note.

But later in life, a more sober note emerged.

There was a sober note in his voice that she couldn't ignore.

But among the generally hopeful comments there were sober notes.

You both know what I want the most, he said on an entirely sober note.

Grey said then, and the sober note in his voice had made her turn back and look at him.

And they ended the year on a particularly sober note.