11.   But that excuse cannot explain the absence of a single high-profile appointee to serve as an advocate and goad to conscience.

12.   But this does not explain the absence of black faces from even minor roles and crowd scenes in recent movies.

13.   But Underwood later explained his absence by saying he was having a crisis of conscience and was uncertain if he could balance football with his religious beliefs.

14.   Gallagher, who gives seminars to ministers, bluntly explains their absence from the technological revolution.

15.   He declined to explain his absence.

16.   He has thus put his health on constant display, forcing the Vatican to explain absences as they occur.

17.   He then reappeared without explaining his absence.

18.   He said he would explain his absence in a few days.

19.   He said one of the customers explained his absence as a consequence of the surging market.

20.   He was constantly double-teamed Sunday, which explains the absence of tackles.