He is away.

He went off on the river yesterday, and hasn't returned yet.

I inquired for him." "Thank God!" said the mother with a sigh of relief.

"Thank God!" The Little Russian looked at her, and drooped his head.
"He lies there," the mother recounted pensively, "and looks as though he were surprised; that's the way his face looks.

And no one pities him; no one bestows a good word on him.