Thanks for her letter. Will start back after George Meredith's funeral. Willa Cather [Stout #160]
Apologizes for having caused Mrs. Hueffer the irritation of a complaint from Joseph Conrad about Cather's attempt to see him. Believed Mr. Hueffer [pseud. Ford Madox Ford] had assured her of welcome. Had hoped to obtain something for publication in McClure's. Is leaving for Paris Saturday [the 22nd] but hopes to see her when she returns. Willa Sibert Cather [Stout #161]
Learned of their terrible loss [of Sarah Orne Jewett] yesterday. Cannot accept that Jewett is not still there. Knows how fearful Jewett had been of losing Fields; had loved her so dearly for so long. Sailing next week. Will let her know as soon as she lands in New York. Shares her grief. Willa [Stout #162]
Wishing her a belated happy New Year. Has been managing the magazine by herself since returning to New York in the fall. Has been unwell, so has had not only little time but little energy. Isabelle McClung with her from early November through Christmas; helped a great deal with shopping and the training of a new maid, so the apartment is now very pleasant. Always feels homesick at Christmas; seems everyone in New York suffers from homesickness then. Last year went to the children's service at Trinity Church on Christmas Eve and people were crying all around her. Probably wishing to be back at some small town. Is glad Jack and Elsie put out holly and evergreens in the cemetery for her at Christmas. Both such nice children. Elsie will be nicer when she gets older and not so sure of herself. Enjoys thinking of Bessie [Elizabeth Seymour] and Auntie [Sarah Andrews, sister of Mary Virginia Cather] being together and less burdened by care. Used to find it so hard not being able to do anything for them. Mother seems in better spirits lately. Is anticipating a Grand Jury investigation as a result of McClure's articles on Tammany and prostitution. Expects to go to London again in a few months but hopes to get back to Nebraska in the summer. Hopes to have as nice a visit as this past summer, when Mother did not seem to begrudge her visiting in the country. Please let her known if Bess and Auntie need anything. Sends love and best wishes. Willie [Stout #168]
Another busy winter. Elsie made her first visit to New York at Christmas; they had a wonderful time except for worrying about Mother, who'd hurt herself in a fall. Elsie liked the apartment and the colored maid, who has taken over all housekeeping cares. Health is better this winter, though working all summer while Mr. McClure was ill in Europe wore her down. Had some time away to recuperate in the fall. Saw Mr. Wiener a few weeks ago; he is still himself, in spite of having made so much money. Isabelle visiting and sends her greeting. Hears from Howard Gore that he is going to the coronation of the king of Siam, whom he knew years ago. Wishes he wouldn't pursue aristocrats, but vanity seems endemic to Washington. Hears that Bessie and Auntie are well, and that she and Uncle George are too. May have to go to England in April. Hopes to receive a letter from her before going. Willie [Stout #188]
Mr. McClure cabled from London asking if Kennan can sail next week and saying he has settled the Russian matter. Not clear what he means. Thinks the magazine will pay his passage. Willa Sibert Cather [Stout #189]
Has just returned from a long trip in the desert and found his letters. Sorry to hear Mrs. McClure is ill. How can he do magazine work here when she is abroad? Sounds as though finances are another worry. Hopes the problem will be short-term. Did he find prospects for a magazine in London? Hard to believe, with his ability and experience, his career will end. Will do anything she can to help. He can write to her in Red Cloud, though she may be in Colorado or Wyoming for several months. Willa Cather [Stout #233]
Postcards from London are plenty. Has moved into the ideal apartment at no. 5 Bank Street. But wishes she [Cather] were in London. W. S. C. [Stout #244]
Back from an active summer. Brought along her twenty-year-old brother, who is enrolled at Carnegie Technical. Couldn't put the war out of her mind even when she was in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains [in northern New Mexico]. Shouldn't hear any more about suffrage and such for a while. Recent issues of Punch make one realize how solid England is. Kipling's recent speech was splendid. Will be in New York in October but only for a week; wants to keep working on her book in Pittsburgh until the first of the year. Willa [Stout #287]
Has been working well. Expects to be in Pittsburgh until Christmas. Jack doing well at school; sees him often. War occupies all conversation. A friend from Belgium, Mme Flahant, is in New York and says her family members in Brussels are starving. The Belgian Relief Committee in London says that only the U.S. can sustain Belgium through the winter. Germans allow no food in that comes through England or France. Will donate to the relief fund instead of sending Christmas presents. America will have to answer to history if it fails Belgium. Willie [Stout #289]
