But last year was a happy exception; freelancing has often been less lucrative.

I happen to know you can read and write, Regis, but you must admit you are a happy exception.

Most of these winter insects are small, but two eastern sedges are a happy exception.

The happy exception is Beck's, which we found almost indistinguishable from the real thing.

Most are more or less scentless, but the statuesque N. sylvestris is a happy exception.

Your mother was that happy exception, I expect.

Norman was the happy exception to this rule.

In one or two geographical areas this rule had happy exceptions, about which more presently.

Britain, he says, is "a strange and happy exception to that, with their high level of unemployment coming down."

The Balkans have not generated much good news recently, but Croatia today is a happy exception.