A Substitute Journalist Clifford Baxter came into the sitting-room where Patty was darning stockings and reading a book at the same time . Patty could do things like that . The stockings were well darned too , and Patty understood and remembered what she read . Clifford flung himself into a chair with a sigh of weariness . `` Tired ? '' queried Patty sympathetically . `` Yes , rather . I 've been tramping about the wharves all day gathering longshore items . But , Patty , I 've got a chance at last . Tonight as I was leaving the office Mr. Harmer gave me a real assignment for tomorrow -- two of them in fact , but only one of importance . I 'm to go and interview Mr. Keefe on this new railroad bill that 's up before the legislature . He 's in town , visiting his old college friend , Mr. Reid , and he 's quite big game . I would n't have had the assignment , of course , if there 'd been anyone else to send , but most of the staff will be away all day tomorrow to see about that mine explosion at Midbury or the teamsters ' strike at Bainsville , and I 'm the only one available . Harmer gave me a pretty broad hint that it was my chance to win my spurs , and that if I worked up a good article out of it I 'd stand a fair show of being taken on permanently next month when Alsop leaves . There 'll be a shuffle all round then , you know . Everybody on the staff will be pushed up a peg , and that will leave a vacant space at the foot . '' Patty threw down her darning needle and clapped her hands with delight . Clifford gazed at her admiringly , thinking that he had the prettiest sister in the world -- she was so bright , so eager , so rosy . `` Oh , Clifford , how splendid ! '' she exclaimed .
`` Just XXXXX we 'd begun to give up hope too .
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