“Let us be forthright?—?we have all become concerned about you, Mrs Forrester,” said Mrs Connor. “Do you ever sleep? The watchmen says the lamps are lit at your house well after midnight, so that they can see it all the way down at the barracks.”
I felt no need to respond to the inquiries and so sat silent, but then Mrs Whithers leaned in close to me and whispered, “Might I ask, what are those devices?”
She referred to several printing frames I had propped on windowsills. I began to explain that I was curious to see how prolonged exposure to indoor light, versus brief and bright direct sunlight, might affect the printing of photographs onto paper. Just then I overheard Mrs Connor’s younger sister ask if there weren’t any biscuits or cakes.
I apologized and said I was afraid we had not had much time for baking. (In truth I have had to skimp at the grocers in order to purchase the printing frames and paper. As best I can, I aim to keep the ledger balanced in Allen’s absence.)
Mrs Connor sniffed again and again, and then finally, a handkerchief to her face, said, “I apologize, Mrs Forrester, but there is a most disagreeable odor in your house.”
“Oh? I’m afraid I have gotten quite used to it. It’s the chemicals. I have very poor ventilation in the pantry. I nearly fainted for lack of air yesterday, but it won’t do you any harm out here.”
All conversation seemed to dwindle then, and after a few minutes, when I could see that everyone had quite finished with their tea, I begged their forgiveness but said I must get back to my work. I meant no unfriendliness as I handed them their umbrellas and hurried them out into the rain; I only wanted my house back to myself. I could see by her long, angry stride, that Mrs Connor was put out, but in truth, I do not believe I behaved any more rudely than they did, appearing at my door without invitation.
Of the pine siskin, not a single fixed image, yet there is one photograph that is of some interest to me. It is only a smudge of wings, so that it requires effort to see that it is several birds in flight, yet there is something appealing about the pale gray ripples.
Dear Mrs. Forrester?—
Regarding the fogging, I suspect there may be some light leaking through, whether into your camera box or your dark room. If, instead, a negative appears thin from underexposure, it may yet be saved?—?try the citrate of soda solution, added just as the negative begins to show detail. It can nicely intensify the image.
As for the stains on your hands, they are a nuisance that cannot be avoided. You might try rinsing them with muriatic acid. I find a solution of ? ounce of acid to 16 ounces of water to work well enough.
I have enclosed a brand of printing paper I have found quite satisfactory, as well as the additional chloride of gold you requested. It does seem a waste indeed that the toning bath cannot be preserved for additional prints.
And let me say, I hope you do not hesitate to write again. It gives me pleasure, perhaps inordinate, to be able to discuss the chemistry of the process, and I am well-pleased to know that you are finding success so far.
Yours respectfully,
Mr. Henry Redington
Lieut. Col. Allen Forrester
May 29, 1885
Smoke rises from Indian camps along the riverbanks. We have observed several Midnooskies fishing with sinew nets on the ends of long poles. One young woman stood on a rocky outcropping, leaned out to lower her net into a churning eddy. The gray water is cold & fast moving. It is a precarious business. Samuelson says every summer the Wolverine swallows several Indians & village dogs.
No salmon have been caught yet. Throughout the day, the Indians dip their nets in the water in hopes of making a catch. They will spend the summer here. They have already set to raising pole racks where they cure will cure the fish with sun & smoke. They also begin to dismantle two of the baidarra so as to use the poles & moose hides for their summer huts. I obtained the third to assist in our travels upriver.
I have yet to convince Ceeth Hwya to guide us over the mountains. He has agreed, however, to accompany us for a time up the Wolverine.
We wait for the salmon. As restless as I am to be on our way, it would be foolhardy to leave with so little food.
Samuelson informed me today that he & Boyd will remain in the Wolverine Valley.
?—?We’ll try our hand at these creeks. Looks promising. Like to see if we can get a bit more out of the Indians about the copper. Not as good as gold, but there’s money in that, too, if a man can get a proper operation going.
Though I anticipated we would part ways eventually, I am sorry he will not continue on with us. I much appreciate his company. I told him so.
I asked if Nat’aaggi would join them. It occurred to me that Samuelson might be interested in taking her as a wife. Such is common practice among frontiersmen.
?—?Don’t believe so. I’d have no objection. But she’s got itchy feet. I don’t see her settling down with us. Not even with the tyone, rich as he is. I wouldn’t be surprised if she tags along with you three.
I asked why she would want to do such a thing.