it is a phrase becuase a phrase is a group of words that may contain either a subject or a verb but not both and the sentence "swimming laps at the pool" only contians a subject becuase, who is swimming laps at the pool?
The answer is 'Hard Work' or just simply 'Work'.
This woman has brought shame upon us all, and ought to die. Is there not law for it? Truly there is, both in the Scripture and the statute-book. Then let the magistrates, who have made it of no effect, thank themselves if their own wives and daughters go astray!”
What part of the plot does this excerpt reveal