What is the author's tone in Conversations of Socrates by Xenophon?

The tone varies in accord with its many perspectives. As stated above, the book has four primary perspectives: the editor, Waterfield, Xenophon, Socrates and Socrates' interlocutors. Waterfield's tone is meant to be completely scholarly. Xenophon's tone is, of course, defensive. sometimes reflective, other times jovial, still others cutting and witty, particularly when he is trying to dismantle the argument of someone he doesn't like. Socrates' tone is both ethereal down to earth. Socrates' interlocutors' tones vary depending on the particular character Socrates is interacting with, but generally their tone is one of admiration and confusion.