Why did Alice call her father?

M: Hello.
W: Hello, Dad?
M: Yes. . . Alice! How are you? Is there anything wrong?
W: Oh, no. I just wanted to call and see how you and Mom were. It been quite a while since I saw you last time.
M: Oh, we’ re both fine. Your mother is down at the new shopping center shopping.
W: For a new dress?
M: No, for shoes this time, I think. How’ s Jack?
W: He’ s fine. He likes his work and was given a raise last month by Mr. Davis. We were all pretty pleased about that.
M: Yes, I think you should be. And how are the children?
W: Well, Billy’ s home from school today. It’ s nothing serious, just a bad cold. And it’ s his birthday, too!
M: Oh, I thought his birthday was May 24th.
W: No, the twenty-third.
M: Well, that’ s too bad. Tell him we’ ll send him a present.
W: All right. Sally’s still taking dancing lessons.
M: She must be pretty good by now. I’ d like to see her sometime. And how is Ted?
W: He’ s OK, too. He loves working on cars and has a part-time job at the garage now.
M: Well, it’ s certainly good to hear your voice. When are you coming for a visit?
W: Not for a few months, I’ m afraid. But I hope we can come for a few weeks this summer, probably in July.
M: That would be nice. Call again soon.
W: OK, Dad. Nice talking to you and glad everything’ s all right. Give Mom our love.
M: All right. Good-bye.
W: Good-bye, Dad.