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

"MA GIC CASEMENTS"
to tell what he was like if another stranger should come
traveling that way asking foolish questions like this other.
So one day the high state officers and the nobility and gentry
went to pay a visit to the palace for the express purpose of
seeing this King of theirs.
"The High Councillor walked straight up to the golden
casket and laid his hand upon it. He was dreadfully frightened but, all the same, he was bound to see to the bottom
of the business, so he shut both eyes and opened the lid
of the box.
"Everybody held his breath and opened his eyes like
saucers.
"There was a rustle, a squeak, a whir and-out popped
a little mouse no bigger than your thumb.
"My dear children, it was a sight to see the people of
Nowhere when a body said 'King' to them. When they
said 'King' to themselves each thrust his tongue into his
cheek and winked one eye.
"But if you wish to know whether the King of Nowhere
really was a mouse, or whether some wag had played a trick
upon the good folk who came to the palace that day, you
will have to ask somebody who knows more than I.
"Anyhow, I can tell you this much for the truth and
sure and certain:
"It is best not to inquire too closely into a closed casket,
for the people of Nowhere are not the only folk who have
discovered that their King was only a mouse after all.
"But all this has nothing to do with writing a letter and
so, madam, I am
"Yours very truly,
"HOWARD PYLE."
[xox]