Howard Pyle, a chronicle by Charles D. Abbott, with an introduction by N. C. Wyeth and many illustrations from Howard Pyle's works.

THE RETURN
been mentioned in *the diary-letters. In Wilmington he
would have plenty of opportunity to do work for the magazines and at the same time start on this book, which he was
sure would immediately place him high in the ranks of
writers for children. At home he would be able to take advantage of his mother's criticism, and with Robin Hood
looming up in the foreground that was an advantage not to
be considered lightly. All these things with their cumulative weight convinced him that there was nothing more to
be gained by remaining in New York, and hastened his departure to Wilmington.
Before leaving, however, he arranged with the Harpers
and with Mr. Parsons that stories and articles should be sent
to him for illustration, and that he should be considered
as a regular member of the staff. For the Scribner house
he had done very little work since the earliest days, and
he could -consequently make no such agreement with them,
but he hoped, nevertheless, to do something for them
occasionally.
In Wilmington things were very little changed. There
was the same happy family, the same congenial atmosphere,
the intoxicating enthusiasm and ever-loyal interest on the
part of his mother. A studio was arranged on the top floor
of the house. Mrs. Pyle gave it the feminine touch, made
it comfortable, and kept it in order. Here he could work,
drawing whatever pictures 1-larpers requested of him. For
models he used his mother, his brothers, or any obliging
friend of the family. In addition to this work, he spent
many hours over the composition of that children's book
which was to start him on a career of writing.
There was one New York friendship that continued.
[ 69])