What a complex situation had blown up in his brief absence!

The decision to allow him back after such a brief absence was not a popular one among some of his competitors.

After a brief absence, illegal drugs are back in the news.

And once again, there had been changes during my brief absence.

He felt that everything had changed during his brief absence from school.

They seemed not even to be aware of his brief absence.

It followed a brief absence from the room of the doctor.

His absence from my life, however brief, had been like losing an important body part.

Oh, I think you have done very well in my brief absence.

The boy entered the house, and came out after a brief absence.