Many of them were wild about books.
He was especially interested in the interview printed by Camera with that world favourite, Harold Parmalee.

For this was the screen artist whom Merton most envied, and whom he conceived himself most to resemble in feature.

The lady interviewer, Miss Augusta Blivens, had gone trembling into the presence of Harold Parmalee, to be instantly put at her ease by the young artist's simple, unaffected manner.

He chatted of his early struggles when he was only too glad to accept the few paltry hundreds of dollars a week that were offered him in minor parts; of his quick rise to eminence; of his unceasing effort to give the public something better and finer; of his love for the great out-of-doors; and of his daily flight to the little nest that sheltered his pal wife and the kiddies.

Here he could be truly himself, a man's man, loving the simple things of life.