He stared at me absently, then asked: "Did you have any help running the groups?"

He stared at it absently for a long moment, then turned back to the fireplace.

She stared absently at the tissue clenched in her hand.

She stared absently across the floor, then roused herself and turned to me.

He stared absently at the drawn face of his friend.

I must have stared absently at the piece of cloth.

"I'll have to do without some things, that's all," and the man stared absently at the steel wall.

He sat for a time staring absently in front of him.

He stared absently at it for a moment, then turned away.

He stared across the room absently, then pushed his chair back from the table.