[mnehring]

We assume she is talking on a cell phone because that is just a normal sight in our world, but if you didn't know about cell phones, this image could be of anything.

For example, she could be holding up a change purse and shaking it. She could be holding a folded scarf in her hands to wipe a raindrop off her ear. She could be listening to the hum of Dilithium crystals.

[mware]

My guess is she had an earache,and was covering up her ear.