Context clues is a technique that helps us infer the meaning of an unknown word by only looking at the surrounding information of that word. In this excerpt, we can infer the meaning of "distraught" has a negative connotation of being troubled, nervous, stressed or agitated, because of the context: Something bad happened that would have severe consequences (She missed the bus and might lose her job) and she reacted in an upset and agitated manner: "She paced back and forth, wringing her hands and trying not to cry."
