# John Returns to Business explained — Lorna Doone > Chapter companion for Lorna Doone by R. D. Blackmore. ## What happens John Ridd returns to his farm in November, where he finds Master Jeremy Stickles stationed as a royal agent. Stickles confides in John about his secret mission concerning the Duke of Monmouth and the political unrest. Meanwhile, John becomes increasingly anxious as Lorna's signals cease, leading him to venture into the Doone valley to investigate. He surveys Carver Doone's dwelling and resolves to rescue Lorna, despite the growing tensions with Stickles and the chaos around him. ## Themes in this chapter ### Love and Sacrifice John's desperate concern for Lorna and his resolve to rescue her, even at great personal risk, exemplifies the theme of love driving sacrifice. ### Family and Loyalty John's loyalty to his family is strained by Annie's involvement with a highwayman and his mother's distress, while Stickles' mission tests John's allegiance. ### Justice and Revenge John's determination to confront the Doones and rescue Lorna reflects a personal quest for justice, tinged with the threat of revenge. ## Character check-ins ### John Ridd Returns home to find Stickles stationed at the farm; learns of Stickles' secret mission; becomes distressed by Lorna's silence and resolves to act. ### Jeremy Stickles Royal agent stationed at the Ridd farm; confides in John about his mission regarding the Duke of Monmouth; a rift grows between them after John's anger. ### Lorna Doone Her signals to John cease, causing him great worry; John fears she is imprisoned or harmed in the Doone valley. ### Carver Doone John suspects Carver's dwelling is where Lorna may be held; John surveys Carver's house by the stream. ### Annie Ridd Mentioned as being committed to a highwayman (Tom Faggus), adding to John's troubles. ### Uncle Reuben Huckaback Mentioned as plotting something unknown, contributing to John's sense of gathering trouble. ## Key lines > Now November was upon us, and we had kept Allhallowmass, with roasting of skewered apples (like so many shuttlecocks), and after that the day of Fawkes, as became good Protestants, with merry bonfires and burned batatas, and plenty of good feeding in honour of our religion; and then while we were at wheat-sowing, another visitor arrived. It was November, and after celebrating All Hallows' Eve and Guy Fawkes Day with traditional Protestant festivities, we were sowing wheat when Master Jeremy Stickles arrived. _Sets the seasonal and political context of the chapter, highlighting the religious and festive customs of the time._ > Master Stickles was going forth upon his usual night journey, when he met me coming home, and I said something half in jest, about his zeal and secrecy; upon which he looked all round the yard, and led me to an open space in the clover field adjoining. Stickles was about to leave on one of his nightly missions when he encountered me; after my teasing remark, he cautiously took me to a secluded field to speak privately. _Illustrates Stickles' secretive nature and the beginning of his confidence in John._ > For suddenly, without any warning, or a word of message, all my Lorna's signals ceased, which I had been accustomed to watch for daily, and as it were to feed upon them, with a glowing heart. Without any notice, Lorna stopped sending the signals I relied on daily, leaving me anxious and heartbroken. _Highlights John's emotional dependence on Lorna and the onset of his crisis._ > It was no time for shilly shally, for the balance of this and that, or for a man with blood and muscle to pat his nose and ponder. If I left my Lorna so; if I let those black-soul'd villains work their pleasure on my love; if the heart that clave to mine could find no vigour in it—then let maidens cease from men, and rest their faith in tabby-cats. This was not a moment for hesitation or deliberation; if I abandoned Lorna to those evil men, I would be unworthy of any woman's trust. _Shows John's fierce determination and his view of inaction as a betrayal of love._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lorna_doone_se/chapters/xxxvi-john-returns-to-business - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lorna_doone_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lorna_doone_se/chapters