“The ‘sky scrapers.’”
For the next six months a large proportion of Allan’s pictures had flags in them. Indeed, there was a great deal of flag in everything for a time. When Allan was in New York in July and looked up at the “sky scrapers,” the sky seemed full of flags.
Of course the boys of the club lamented that they could not be at the front. The next best thing was to go to the camps; and this they did, and found the soldiers so accustomed to cameras that being photographed seemed to cause them no uneasiness or resentment whatever.
A “snap” at a cruiser.
The chief trouble, Allan found, was that he had to promise a good many prints to different soldiers who stood for him or helped him with groups and camp scenes. He had learned that promising prints is one of the most entertaining features of photography, and that keeping the promises is one of the most troublesome. However, a soldier seemed to deserve a print if he wanted it, and Allan never promised prints with more of genuine willingness than during the exciting weeks of the war.
It was at the Hempstead Camp that Allan, McConnell, and Owen found Big McConnell, who had become a corporal, and who was glad to show the boys around.
“I’m dead tired of this show,” grumbled Big McConnell. “I wish they’d send us somewhere. The rations are spoiling my naturally sweet disposition. You didn’t happen to see the pie-woman, did you, as you came in?”
“No,” said Allan.
“I’m looking for her about now,” went on Big McConnell. “I need pie, I do.”