Yet, after much discussion, which occupied most of the following morning, the boys made radical changes in these plans. They finally decided to divide with a partition the room which had been used for developing, leaving access from the stairs to the front room without interference with the dark-room work; and by making the dark-room smaller several advantages seemed to be gained.
Unfortunately the estimates for these changes, from the plumber and carpenter, reached forty-five dollars. “Then we can do the carpentering ourselves,” said Allan. “That will make quite a difference.” Upon inquiry they found this would make ten dollars difference.
“And we will have the initiation fees,” said Owen. They had decided on an initiation fee of three dollars for new members, with monthly dues of fifty cents.
“We have four applications,” said McConnell. “That will make twelve dollars.”
“Then we are safe enough,” said Owen, “for there will be other new members as soon as we let it be known that we have a camera club with rooms here.”
The week following was a busy one for the boys. It was early September, and the weather was warm; so warm that the amateur carpenters in the coach-house found their work very arduous at times, and were not unhappy when they were compelled to wait occasionally in order to keep out of the way of the plumbers.
Before the work was finished there were three more applications for membership.
“Say!” cried McConnell, one afternoon, “guess who wants to be a member? Oh, you never will—Mr. Thornton!”
Mr. Thornton was the principal of the high school.
Allan dropped his hammer. “Mr. Thornton!”