It was a miserable-looking place with a pigsty and a dung-heap and a small horse-pond or duck-puddle all close around it.

The stack of chimneys seemed to threaten to fall, and as he approached from behind he could see that the two windows opening that way were stuffed with rags.

There was a little cabbage garden which now seemed to be all stalks, and a single goose waddling about the duck-puddle.
The Senator went to the door, and having knocked, was investigated by a woman from behind it.

Yes, this was Goarly's house.

What did the gentleman want?
Goarly was at work in the field.