If you can look as if you'd lost all your friends and bitten your tongue you'll make a big hit with him.
He doesn't know a joke even when it's labelled and can't stand any flippancy.

I made a pun in class once; I've forgotten what it was, but it was a bright and scintillant little effort; and Uncle Sim told me I'd end on the gallows.

He's never forgotten that and still views me with deep suspicion." "We will try to remember," laughed Steve.

"I suppose you are in the Sixth Form ?" "Yes, this is my last year here.

I ought to have been out last year, but I slipped a cog when I first came and got dropped a form.