Once Aboard the Lugger-- The History of George and his Mary

by A. S. M. Hutchinson

George half turned away. The bitterest moment of a sad day was come. He growled:

“Pipped.”

“Pipped?”

“Pilled.”

“Pilled?”

“Spun.”

“Spun?”

“Three months.”

Mr. Marrapit put his hands to his head: “I shall go mad. My brain reels beneath these conundrums. I implore English.”

The confession of defeat is a thousandfold more bitter when made to unkind ears. George paled a little; spoke very clearly: “I failed. I was referred for three months.”