But he looked and sounded stronger than I had expected.

He did sound stronger, although there was still an edge of pain in his voice.

His voice sounded full and strong, as though he enjoyed the prospect.

He wanted to sound strong, but his narrow escape had left him shaken.

"Which, unpleasant as it sounds, will not be the end of the world," I said, trying to sound strong.

"All the noise and stuff, it sounds too strong," he said.

He wanted his voice to sound strong, instead it sounded hollow and dull.

Then he came back, sounding a little stronger but just as distressed.

His voice sounded pure and strong in her head, as it had on the several occasions they'd talked last night.

But Polgreen did not sound strong or mysterious enough for his character.