After dinner he had developed the negative very carefully in the dark house, and then put it to wash in running water.
There was no faucet in the dark house, but there was one at the head of the garden in a very shady place, and it was under this faucet that the washing box was always set. This time, however, having but one negative, it was left in a flat tray.
The children did not know about this wonderful picture, for if they had even Tommy, anxious for a ride, would not have left the puppies to care for themselves.
The twins awoke and finding everybody gone, set out on a tour of investigation. If only a squirrel had scolded, or an apple fallen to attract them, but no, on they went, playing and scampering toward the garden. By this time they were thirsty, spied the running water, and amused themselves for a while by lapping it as it flowed.
Then Jill stepped on the edge of the dish and tipped it up and the glass negative fell out on the grass face upward. Sniffing at it, she found the surface cool and something sticky on it that resisted. Of course she began to lick and lick with extra persistency, stopping now and then to cough and spit out the result, which, being gelatine that had been washed in chemicals, including puckery alum, did not suit her ladyship’s taste.
A rapid step came round the house; there was an exclamation of dismay, for all that was left of the priceless duck picture was a small sheet of smeared glass.
When Tommy came home from the hay-field he went to bed, and it was not because he was tired.
Anne pleaded for him, but it was of no use. Her father was quite stern, which was a rare thing.
“It is not the loss of the picture alone, it was because Tommy shirked a responsibility, just as you did the other day. Only, as it happened, by making a new apron you could undo your mischief, but Tommy cannot, so he must stay by himself and think. And, moreover, if either of you forget again, the twins must go and live at the Hilltop Kennels until they also can be held responsible for what they do.”