Hello, Max," Jeb spoke softly, looking for a reaction. He asked how Max was feeling, which seemed like a simple question but was met with a sarcastic internal reaction indicating it might not be so straightforward. Max responded cheerfully, indicating he was fine and turning the question back on Jeb.
The exchange hints at underlying tension or skepticism about the actual meaning behind Jeb's question. Max's bright response contrasts with the humor implied when he considers the question's simplicity, suggesting a layer of sarcasm or underlying issue not directly stated.