Alexina had kept house for her father and Stephen since she was ten . Stephen was a clever boy and intended to study medicine . Alexina had a good voice , and something was to be done about training it . The Tracys lived next door to them . Duncan Tracy was Stephen 's particular chum , and Josephine Tracy was Alexina 's dearest friend . Alexina was never lonely when Josie was near by to laugh and chat and plan with . Then , all at once , troubles came . In June the firm of which Mr. Falsom was a member failed . There was some stigma attached to the failure , too , although the blame did not rest upon Mr. Falsom , but with his partner . Worry and anxiety aggravated the heart trouble from which he had suffered for some time , and a month later he died . Alexina and Stephen were left alone to face the knowledge that they were penniless , and must look about for some way of supporting themselves . At first they hoped to be able to get something to do in Thorndale , so that they might keep their home . This proved impossible . After much discouragement and disappointment Stephen had secured a position in the lumber mill at Lessing , and Alexina was promised a place in a departmental store in the city . To make matters worse , Duncan Tracy and Stephen had quarrelled in October . It was only a boyish disagreement over some trifle , but bitter words had passed . Duncan , who was a quick-tempered lad , had twitted Stephen with his father 's failure , and Stephen had resented it hotly . Duncan was sorry for and ashamed of his words as soon as they were uttered , but he would not humble himself to say so . Alexina had taken Stephen 's part and her manner to Josie assumed a tinge of coldness . Josie quickly noticed and resented it , and the breach between the two girls widened almost insensibly , until they barely spoke when they met .
Each blamed the other and cherished bitterness XXXXX her heart .
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