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 in bewilderment . Where was Clifford ? Had n't he come on the train ? Surely he must have , for there was no other until seven o'clock . She must have missed him somehow . Patty waited until everybody had left the station , then she walked slowly homeward . As the Chronicle office was on her way , she dropped in to see if Clifford had reported there . She found nobody in the editorial offices except the office boy , Larry Brown , who promptly informed her that not only had Clifford not arrived , but that there was a telegram from him saying that he had missed his train . Patty gasped in dismay . It was dreadful ! `` Where is Mr. Harmer ? '' she asked . `` He went home as soon as the afternoon edition came out . He left before the telegram came . He 'll be furious when he finds out that nobody has gone to interview that foxy old politician , '' said Larry , who knew all about Clifford 's assignment and its importance .
`` Is n't there anyone else here XXXXX go ? ''
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