“I will,” returned Bob, with a sudden determination.
That evening Frank felt much stronger. He opened his outfit, got out his trays and chemicals, and, by the aid of a ruby light, proceeded to develop the pictures he had taken since Bob had been with him.
The youth was greatly interested, and watched every part of the process closely. Both had a hearty laugh over the picture of Carrow plunging into the hot-bed after the pigs.
“It’s awfully interesting,” declared Bob. “The glass seems to have nothing on it, and the picture comes out as if by magic when you pour the developing fluid on it.”
“Here is a first-class book on photography,” replied Frank. “You can’t do better than study it closely. I will make you a present of it.”
Bob was delighted. He read a great part of the book before going to bed, and it was astonishing how quick he caught the right idea concerning the art he intended to make his own.
“I imagine you must have been born a photographer,” said Frank on the following day, when the two were taking pictures. “You have learned more in two days about the matter than I learned in a week.”
Frank was still very weak, so the taking of the pictures depended to a great extent on Bob, and the youth rose fully equal to the occasion.
Before night came they took over a dozen views, and these they developed at the farm-house at which they put up. One of the pictures had not been exposed long enough, and Bob took his first lesson in correcting this mistake.
“As soon as we get to Stampton, I’ll give you a practical lesson in printing,” said Frank.