# Little Georgey Leaves His Old Home explained — Lady Audley’s Secret

> Chapter companion for Lady Audley’s Secret by M. E. Braddon.

## What happens

Robert Audley takes Georgey away from his grandfather, Mr. Maldon, after confronting the old man about the lie he told regarding George Talboys's departure. Robert reveals that George never sailed for Australia and that he knows the telegraphic message was dictated to Maldon. The chapter ends with Georgey being sent to school in Southampton.

## Themes in this chapter

### Secrecy and Deception

Robert Audley confronts Mr. Maldon about the lie he told regarding George Talboys's departure, revealing the web of deception surrounding the disappearance.

### Justice and Morality

Robert takes a moral stand by removing Georgey from his grandfather's care and seeking the truth about George Talboys's fate.

## Character check-ins

### Robert Audley

Confronts Mr. Maldon about the lie regarding George Talboys's departure and takes Georgey away to send him to school.

### Georgey

The child who is taken away from his grandfather by Robert Audley; he prattles about his grandfather's behavior and is sent to school.

### Mr. Maldon

Georgey's grandfather, who is confronted by Robert about the lie he told regarding George Talboys; he shows great distress and terror at the suggestion that George is dead.

### Mrs. Plowson

The landlady who looks after Georgey and tries to comfort Mr. Maldon; she reacts to the news of George Talboys's death.

## Key lines

> My gran'pa says when he takes my watch that he does it to keep the wolf from the door.

Georgey explains that his grandfather pawns his watch to stave off poverty.

_Illustrates the financial desperation of Mr. Maldon and the child's naive understanding of it._

> The lie you told me on the 8th of last September was dictated to you by the telegraphic message which you received on that day.

Robert accuses Mr. Maldon of lying about George Talboys's departure, saying the lie was prompted by a telegram.

_Key moment in the investigation, revealing the conspiracy to conceal George's fate._

> Not dead—anything but dead! Hidden away, perhaps—bribed to keep out of the way, perhaps; but not dead—not dead—not dead!

Mr. Maldon desperately insists that George Talboys might be hidden or bribed, but not dead.

_Shows Maldon's terror and hints at the possibility that George is still alive._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lady_audley_s_secret_se/chapters/xxi-little-georgey-leaves-his-old-home
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lady_audley_s_secret_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lady_audley_s_secret_se/chapters