missing

[marval]

There was an expectant father who had spent quite some time waiting
for the offspring to arrive - at his in-laws place. As his money was tight he tells his father-in-law -' When my son comes, do not call up my office and say that I have become a father of a boy, etc. otherwise I'll have to shell out a lot for parties etc. Just tell me that the clock has arrived.

This will be our code for the arrival of the baby.' The offspring does arrive one day, but it's a daughter.

The father-in-law now thinks - 'If I tell him that the clock has not arrived, he'll misunderstand that something has happened
to the baby and come rushing over.'
So he sends this message ' The clock has arrived, but the pendulum is missing'

[Bumpkin_Clumber]

like it, brought back memories.