Holling said that line during the month of January. He had just finished playing Ariel in a live Shakespeare production. Unfortunately for Holling, his costume was incredibly embarrassing to wear. He had to wear bright yellow tights with feathers on his butt. The newspaper printed a big photo of Holling in his costume. Doug Sweiteck's brother collected as many newspapers as he could, colored them, and hung them up all over the school. Holling was mortified. Mrs. Baker told Holling that he would soon forget the entire incident. That's when Holling told Mrs. Baker that she doesn't understand, because she doesn't have anything to worry about. Holling couldn't be more wrong—Mrs. Baker has plenty to worry about. First, she is a teacher of seventh grade students, which carries with it an entire host of responsibilities and worries. But that is not what Mrs. Baker is most worried about. Mrs. Baker is most worried about her husband, who is a helicopter pilot serving in Vietnam. Holling's comment is hurtful to Mrs. Baker because it lacks empathy. The comment also upsets her because it reminds her of her worry.