Why is the use of the phrase "I'm fine" synonymous with not being alright, or fine even? Ern easily caught and interpreted that comment as a terse denial of anything being wrong.
He walked back to speak to her, and looked at her again, as if trying to decipher in exactly what way things were wrong.
"And that's alright, and even a good idea to come out early to get a workout before starting, but if you're not feeling well, you're better off going home and taking it easy. It's better to be safe than sorry, right?"