The little news editor looked to be in a rather bad temper , but he nodded not unkindly to Patty . Mr. Harmer knew the Baxters well and liked them , although he would have sacrificed them all without a qualm for a `` scoop . '' `` Good evening , Patty . Take a chair . That brother of yours has n't turned up yet . The next time I give him an assignment , he 'll manage to be on hand in time to do it . '' `` Oh , '' cried Patty breathlessly , `` please , Mr. Harmer , I have the interview here . I thought perhaps I could do it in Clifford 's place , and I went out to Mr. Reid 's and saw Mr. Reefer . He was very kind and -- '' `` Mr. who ? '' fairly shouted Mr. Harmer . `` Mr. Reefer -- Mr. Andrew Reefer . He told me to tell you that this article contained all he knew or thought about the railroad bill and -- '' But Mr. Harmer was no longer listening . He had snatched the neatly written sheets of Patty 's report and was skimming over them with a practised eye . Then Patty thought he must have gone crazy . He danced around the office , waving the sheets in the air , and then he dashed frantically up the stairs to the composing room . Ten minutes later , he returned and shook the mystified Patty by the hand . `` Patty , it 's the biggest beat we 've ever had ! We 've scooped not only the Ledger , but every other newspaper in the country . How did you do it ? How did you ever beguile or bewitch Andrew Reefer into giving you an interview ? ''
`` Why , '' said Patty in utter bewilderment , `` I just went out to Mr. XXXXX 's and asked for the gentleman who was visiting there -- I 'd forgotten his name -- and Mr. Reefer came down and I told him my brother had been detailed to interview him on behalf of the Chronicle about the bill , and that Clifford had missed his train , and would n't he let me interview him in his place and excuse my inexperience -- and he did . ''
Baxters Clifford Harmer Patty Reefer Reid assignment beat interview qualm