Feels inadequate to write, but wants her to know that her loss [of Grosvenor] is present in her thoughts. Everything else seemed to fade into unreality when she saw G. P.'s name in the newspaper under the heading "killed in action"—a title that sets men apart in glory. Now feels she carries a name of honor because it was his name. It was Isabelle who showed her the newspaper notice. Somehow, had not believed he would be harmed in the war. Knows she must be glad he found his mission in life. Remembers talking with him about the war news in August, 1914. He was not content on the farm; this great endeavor was the kind of effort he needed and craved. Very few men have both the courage and the ability to serve the country in this great challenge as he did. Sends love and sympathy. Willie [Stout #419]
Has found out the location of Grosvenor's grave. Please let Aunt Franc know. It is registered by the Society for the Care of the American Dead. He is buried in Grave No. 2, Plot B, in the American Cemetery at Villiers Tournelle. From all reports of how the dead at Cantigny were handled, there can be no uncertainty that it is G. P. Will go there next week and take a picture. Isabelle and Jan will go along. Will stay overnight in a home, as there are no hotels. Feeling a little homesick and eager to return to her own country and her own people, although this country and people are wonderful. Willie [Stout #511]
Hurrying to leave for Nebraska but will answer briefly. Georgine Milmine, now Mrs. Benjamin Wells, of Aubrey, N.Y., gathered material on Mrs. Eddy. McClure bought the material, subsequently lost (along with a first edition of Science and Health) when the magazine was sold. Milmine couldn't do the writing, and after sampling short segments of it done by several other people he chose her [Cather]. This was shortly after she came to New York. Carefully checked the material and believes it is all accurate except the first chapter, written by Burton Hendrick, now with Doubleday. His resentment at being removed from the project may be part of the reason Doubleday does not bring it back into print. Please keep confidential. Willa Cather [Stout #649]
Sending her publisher's pamphlet with biographical information and a list of books with information about her and her work. Has marked the two best. Hard to answer his question about French influence. From adolescence and for many years thereafter read and liked French prose writers from Hugo to Maupassant. Read all of Balzac more than once before the age of twenty, though not much now. Doesn't believe she ever imitated any French writer, but did admire them more than their English contemporaries because of freer experimentation and greater thematic range. Tone of British writers of that period, before Hardy, sometimes mechanical or patronizing, though it doesn't really bother her. Believes French language itself more exciting to her than English when she was younger. Now prefers Prosper Merimée to the others. Likes his reserve, as well as other qualities. P.S.: Suggests he read "The Novel Démeublé." Willa Cather [Stout #988]
Is pleased with his article on her books. Interesting that the first he read was Death Comes for the Archbishop. Would like to read the article he mentioned on Mérimée, who was also a fine critic, especially his essay on Gogol. Willa Cather [Stout #995]
She and Edith have leased an apartment and are decorating it. Almost ready to move in. Edith very busy at work; hopes she will resign soon. What about Mary Austin's book [Earth Horizon]? So full of special pleading and self-pity. Not true Archbishop was written in Austin's house—didn't even want to go to the house, but had to, to be polite. Couldn't help it the archbishop was French. Houghton Mifflin had to make deletions [from Earth Horizon] after some 30,000 copies were sold, under threat of lawsuit by H. G. Wells. Has she read Hemingway's fine new book [Death in the Afternoon]? Would like to go to Mexico this winter, but must get settled first. Has heard lots of people talking about Lorenzo in Taos. Willa [Stout #1135]
Sorry to have been slow answering, but has been away. Biography of Mary Baker Eddy was the product of a group of four or five staffers at McClure's. Merely brought together parts written by others. Was only an editor, not a writer. P.S.: Must not use her words in catalogs, and so on, which would be illegal. Willa Cather [Stout #1173]
Did not write Georgine Milmine's biography of Mary Baker Eddy, only did some editorial work on it, including a few paragraphs of rewrite. It was done only for the magazine articles. Doesn't believe she ever even saw the book. Indeed, Milmine may have put back in some of the material she cut out. Wishes certain people wouldn't go about saying she wrote it. Willa Cather [Stout #1201]
Glad to accept the medal of the International Mark Twain Society. Is proud to think, as Albert Bigelow Paine reports in his biography, that Mark Twain expressed admiration of one of her poems [later letter says "The Palatine"]. P.S.: Sorry to be slow responding, but is just back from northern Canada [?]. Willa Cather [Stout #1208]
Not true that the biography of Mary Baker Eddy is an "unknown Cather." Only did some editing on it. Willa Cather [Stout #1239]
