After a month in Paris is back in the country. Hasn't been writing letters. Sails on the Berengaria Nov. 17. Will send painting directly to him when she gets to New York. Seems to be a fine painting, though not a particularly good likeness. Willa Cather [Stout #704]
Sorry she hadn't understood he expected her to be in Omaha for the unveiling of the portrait. No longer plans to be in Nebraska for Christmas; is working on a new book. Would much rather visit when there is no ceremony going on. Has also declined to give William Vaughn Moody lectures in Chicago. People seem bent on keeping her from writing! Picture will be shipped tomorrow. Willa Cather [Stout #709]
Glad the portrait has arrived and they like it fairly well. Doesn't know if Bakst can carry on conversation in English. They spoke in French last summer. Has enjoyed their correspondence. W. S. C. [Stout #711]
Enclosing a telegram from newspaper and copy of her answer. Is not pleased with the portrait, but other painters advised it could not be refused. Bakst worked hard on it, and she worked hard sitting. Is sorry if the committee is displeased. Entire matter has been stressful. Willa Cather [Stout #714]
[Two quotations from Robert M. Lovett review in The New Republic.] Either of above quotations will make a good ad. W. S. C. [Stout #913]
"For Carrie Sherwood. This was the first time I walked off on my own feet—everything before was half read and half an immitation [sic] of writers whom I admired. In this one I hit the home pasture and found that I was Yance Sorgeson [Sorgenson; Webster County farmer] and not Henry James. Willa Cather [Stout #922]
Just received her letter written a month ago. Sorry she didn't get to inscribe the book for J. M. Barrie. Willa Cather [Stout #1233]
Has intended for some time to write and thank her for relaying James M. Barrie's message about My Ántonia. Cannot try to write a story using the idea she suggested. Ideas for stories must be her own. Willa Cather [Stout #1261]
Weather very cold, but still walks around the reservoir [in Central Park]. Misses her. Is dealing with a great deal of business, particularly the effort to prevent publication of a poor translation of Death Comes for the Archbishop into French. Is sending James M. Barrie's The Boy David but suggests she first read First and Second Samuel in the Bible. One needs to know the Biblical story in order to enjoy the play. Is glad Barrie liked Archbishop. P.S.: Has just reread First and Second Samuel and the young David is delightful. Psalms of David are splendid poetry, too. Aunt Willa [Stout #1435]
Wishes she were there to cheer a rainy day. Enclosing a letter from Stephen Tennant. At times he lets emotions run away with him. Prefers simple, direct language. English poetry has greater riches and variety than French, but English prose is better plain, with strong emotion kept firmly controlled. Glad to hear she likes Barrie. He can get away with sentiment because he always does it with a hint of a laugh. Was glad to hear from her father and Yehudi on Saturday before they sailed. Sorry she is having respiratory trouble. Suggests she read at night when she is having trouble, to try to take her mind off it. Myra Hess came to tea yesterday and sent her greetings. P.S.: Good that Stephen went to Egypt even if it did cause him to rhapsodize; he needs it for his health. [Tennant was in Egypt in early 1939. That fact, together with the reference to Yaltah's illness, seems to confirm the dating of this letter. On the other hand, the reference to Yehudi's sailing conflicts with the statement that he is in Jaffrey. I conjecture no. 1439 was written later in the day. However, inconsistencies make it unclear.] Aunt Willa [Stout #1438]
