Molly is at the door first, beating upon it, and calling wildly on the name of Brown.
And then Ruth's heart turns sick within her.

The door is locked.

Through the window, which usually blossoms with geraniums, she can see the black fireplace and the bare walls.

No Brown within answers to Molly's cries.
Brown has been turned away for drinking.

Mrs.Brown, who hung a slender "wash" on the hedge only last week, has departed with her lord.