Poor chap! Johnny has given you the slip this time." "Where has he gone ?" asked Heathcote, trying to appear indifferent.
"The saintly youth has gone for a day's fishing in the Bay, with the dearly-beloved Cresswell and the reverend Freckleton.

They have got him an exeat from the Doctor, they have bought him lines and bait, they have filled his pockets with good things.

So you see piety pays after all, Georgie.

What a pity you are not pious, too! You wouldn't be left so lonely if you were." Heathcote was too hard hit to reply; and Pledge was kind enough not to attempt any further consolation.
It had been coming to this for weeks past.

Georgie had refused to believe it as long as he could.