It took them both a long time to understand that the boy was sick, though she would point out that she had been the first to notice that he was unhappy, and had sought to remedy his discontent with sweeter treats and more delightful distractions.

NEWYORKER: A Tiny Feast

Brown recalls a nativity play in which the boy playing Herod was off sick.

BBC: Memory and method: In praise of learning by rote