Saw Dr. Fordyce, the skin specialist, yesterday, and he diagnosed problem as ringworm; said she must have been in contact with an animal that had it. Cut ten pieces of skin away and sent to a laboratory, and they found ringworm fungus in every piece. First noticed the blisters about two months ago when she was in France. Dog there had seemed to have mange but had recovered several weeks before she noticed the places. Doctor said it takes six weeks to two months to incubate. Has had x-ray treatments and will probably have three more; using iodine and a zinc lotion. Was able to go to the theatre last night wearing long sleeves and gloves. Colored maid is working out well; cooks lunch, does all the cleaning and washing, and manages well with all the shopping and errands; is happy to do that for $20 a week. Happy holidays to everyone. [unsigned; possibly a last page missing] [Stout #708]
Can hardly do any writing for fending off people inviting her to speak. Has been here to rest in a lovely setting. D. H. Lawrence and wife have been there, marvelous company. Expects to go home in a few days. So few people at the inn, hasn't been bothered by them at all. Appreciates invitation to visit, but that is something she just doesn't do. P.S.: Ethel Litchfield can tell her why. Does visit Mary Jewett in Maine occasionally, but that's really the only person. Willa Cather [Stout #727]
Has a new mink coat purchased by Professor St. Peter [of The Professor's House]. Please ask someone from Mr. Weisz's insurance company to come by and write a policy on it on Friday or Saturday at noon. Is working hard and loving her bishop. Willa [Stout #819]
Regrets the disappearance of local opera houses in small towns of Nebraska. Remembers the excitement when touring companies came to Red Cloud. With her friends, would go watch the train arrive and the theatrical company get off. Is not sorry there are now motion pictures, but wishes they had not brought demise of live performances. Does not believe movies touch emotions of audience as live performances did, though they are fine entertainment. Willa Cather [Stout #985]
Appreciates his sending English reviews of Shadows on the Rock. Hopes he will give more care to physical aspects of the next volume, Obscure Destinies. Did not like the dust jacket of Shadows. Willa Cather [Stout #1110]
Appreciates his calling her attention to the astronomical error in Obscure Destinies. Has changed "transit" to "occultation" in the second printing and cabled Cassell to catch it in the English edition. Willa Cather [Stout #1119]
Sorry about forgetting to sign check for the second time. A signed one enclosed. Was able to get a compartment on train by telling the man who had it—who turned out to be an officer of the Pullman Company—that her friend was ill. Red cap [train station attendant] got a wheelchair for Isabelle, and she was taken straight to her hotel across the street from Cather's apartment. No use sending flowers for Isabelle's voyage home, as they don't yet know which sailing they will be able to take. Appreciates Irene's kindness while they were in Chicago. Willie [Stout #1267]
Is quite well now. Many thanks for the rose tree. Has been reading The Last Puritan. Can't read his technical books, of course. Still misses Josephine, whose letters are as pleasant as she was herself. Had a Swedish maid for three months but let her go, so plodding and unimaginative. Appreciates the invitation to Green Fountains [Zoë's house in California], but doesn't feel she is very good company these days. W. [Stout #1316]
Appreciates the generous inscription in her book of poems. Likes them, though not so well as her earlier ones. Beware of New York theatre critics. They have it in for her. Better not have a new play this year. Knows from experience how spiteful they can be. N.Y.U. graduates with foreign-sounding names are writing all sorts of shabby things about sex-starved spinstress writers from New England. If they attacked her plays in this way it would affect their reception in the whole country. A book's reception not determined by reviews to the same extent. Shouldn't have been so unguarded as to say all this, so destroy the letter. W. S. C. [Stout #1377]
Please advise whether final corrected proofs of The Song of the Lark have been sent to Cassell & Company. [Stout #1412]
