“Not bad,” the photographer said, “only you could have posed the girls better. Where are the names?”
“Names?”
“You can’t run a picture without names,” said Orris with biting emphasis. “If a reporter isn’t sent along with you, you’re expected to get them.”
His confidence somewhat shattered, Flash hastened to a telephone. After endless trouble, he obtained the names and succeeded in properly tagging the girls in the picture.
“I don’t think I’ll last long on this job,” he confessed gloomily to Joe Wells.
“Sure, you will, Flash. In a few days you’ll learn the routine.”
Flash was grateful for the help and friendly advice which the photographer gave him. During the next few days his work gradually showed improvement. He became more confident, and Orris seldom had occasion to offer criticism.
Then Friday afternoon as he was ready to leave the office, Riley called him to the desk. Flash’s pulse hammered. He was almost certain the city editor meant to tell him he was fired.
“Evans, how about doing some extra work tonight?” Riley asked. “We’re short of photographers and I need a good picture of the Gezzy-Brady fight at the armory.”
“I’ll be glad to go,” said Flash in relief.