Oh, that was close to laughter, and Zach was near laughing himself - and all at not much really. They wee sitting, starting to eat dinner, and talking about whatever. Ernie wasn't telling jokes, and neither was he. But still, Zach was smiling a lot and near laughter. Ah well, he wasn't complaining.
"Have you been eating enough?" Zach asked. He gave Ernie food, and he suspected Ernie was sharing it with others too, which was fine. But it was possible for him to take more food in his room and blame studying for exams.