In a panic, Laura suddenly realized for the first time that she had forgotten completely about going to work.

"Oh, my God! What time is it?"

"It's eleven o'clock. What happened?"

Laura thought quickly. "I've been ill all night, Mr. Anderson. I'm so sorry that I didn't call in early, but I forgot to set the alarm to let you know I wouldn't be in."

"I figured that's what it was. I got a substitute for you at nine-thirty, and I took your class until she arrived." His voice sounded disapproving and stern.

"Thank you."

"What seems to be the matter?"

"Uh… I have a bad stomach ache. If it doesn't get better by this afternoon, I'll call the doctor."

"Well, that might be a good idea anyway," the harsh voice said.

"I guess I will." She would agree to anything to get away from his stern disapproval.

"Do you think you'll be in tomorrow?"

Now a decision had to be made. How could she go to work tomorrow? That would be much too soon. She was on her honeymoon!

"Uh… I don't think you'd better expect me tomorrow, Mr. Anderson. I feel terrible." Then she hedged. "But I'm not sure." She was beginning to get very nervous from this conversation. Laura wasn't accustomed to lying.

"All right. I hope that you feel better soon, Laura. We'll expect a call from you tonight if you're not sure, so that I can call a substitute early in the morning. And, of course, you'll call in before three o'clock tomorrow to let us know about the next day."

"Oh, yes. I'll be sure to let you know, sir. Good-bye." Laura realized the reason for that rule, though she always had thought it was a silly one. How could a sick person know by three o'clock in the afternoon whether she'd be well for the next morning? Everyone knew that you always felt worse in the evening when you were ill. But if the substitute was in your class, she had to be notified that she was to return the next morning – and she left at three o'clock.