(Strip Number 4307, Original Publication Date, 4 March 1983)
Panel 1: John looks at his alarm clock and says "Good grief, it's 3 AM!! Elly, haven't you finished that book yet?"
Panel 2: Before waiting for anything like a response, he asks her what kind of novel it is.
Panel 3: Since she fell asleep while reading it, his "Oh" is meant to mean that it's a boring novel.
Summary: The in-strip reason is either that the book is sooooo boring that everybody died or that Elly's not having help or time to herself gives her no time to read.