Do n't say anything about this chance to her until you see what comes of it . She 'd only be doubly disappointed if nothing did . What is your other assignment ? '' `` Oh , I 've got to go out to Bancroft on the morning train and write up old Mr. Moreland 's birthday celebration . He is a hundred years old , and there 's going to be a presentation and speeches and that sort of thing . Nothing very exciting about it . I 'll have to come back on the three o'clock train and hurry out to catch my politician before he leaves at five . Take a stroll down to meet my train , Patty . We can go out as far as Mr. Reid 's house together , and the walk will do you good . '' The Baxters lived in Aylmer , a lively little town with two newspapers , the Chronicle and the Ledger . Between these two was a sharp journalistic rivalry in the matter of `` beats '' and `` scoops . '' In the preceding spring Clifford had been taken on the Chronicle on trial , as a sort of general handyman . There was no pay attached to the position , but he was getting training and there was the possibility of a permanency in September if he proved his mettle . Mr. Baxter had died two years before , and the failure of the company in which Mrs. Baxter 's money was invested had left the little family dependent on their own resources . Clifford , who had cherished dreams of a course in mechanical engineering , knew that he must give them up and go to the first work that offered itself , which he did staunchly and uncomplainingly . Patty , who hitherto had had no designs on a `` career , '' but had been sunnily content to be a home girl and Mother 's right hand , also realized that it would be well to look about her for something to do . She was not really needed so far as the work of the little house went , and the whole burden must not be allowed to fall on Clifford 's eighteen-year-old shoulders . Patty was his senior by a year , and ready to do her part unflinchingly . The next afternoon Patty went down to meet Clifford 's train . When it came , no Clifford appeared .
Patty stared about her at the hurrying throngs XXXXX bewilderment .
Between about as at before by if in of until