It is a world of disappointments , as John discovered when he reached the Dovecote . The front door usually stood hospitably open . Now it was not only shut , but locked , and yesterday 's mud still adorned the steps . The parlor windows were closed and curtained , no picture of the pretty wife sewing on the piazza , in white , with a distracting little bow in her hair , or a bright-eyed hostess , smiling a shy welcome as she greeted her guest . Nothing of the sort , for not a soul appeared but a sanginary-looking boy asleep under the current bushes . `` I 'm afraid something has happened . Step into the garden , Scott , while I look up Mrs. Brooke , '' said John , alarmed at the silence and solitude . Round the house he hurried , led by a pungent smell of burned sugar , and Mr. Scott strolled after him , with a queer look on his face . He paused discreetly at a distance when Brooke disappeared , but he could both see and hear , and being a bachelor , enjoyed the prospect mightily . In the kitchen reigned confusion and despair . One edition of jelly was trickled from pot to pot , another lay upon the floor , and a third was burning gaily on the stove . Lotty , with Teutonic phlegm , was calmly eating bread and currant wine , for the jelly was still in a hopelessly liquid state , while Mrs. Brooke , with her apron over her head , sat sobbing dismally . `` My dearest girl , what is the matter ? '' cried John , rushing in , with awful visions of scalded hands , sudden news of affliction , and secret consternation at the thought of the guest in the garden . `` Oh , John , I am so tired and hot and cross and worried ! I 've been at it till I 'm all worn out . Do come and help me or I shall die ! '' and the exhausted housewife cast herself upon his breast , giving him a sweet welcome in every sense of the word , for her pinafore had been baptized at the same time as the floor . `` What worries you dear ? Has anything dreadful happened ? ''
asked the anxious XXXXX , tenderly kissing the crown of the little cap , which was all askew .
Brooke Dovecote John Lotty Mr. Scott phlegm pinafore prospect third