Will need the two articles in translation by July 1 and July 15. [Ida] Tarbell is glad to hear of his interest in the Standard Oil book. Mr. McClure would join her in sending greetings, but is in Paris. Willa Sibert Cather [Stout #156]
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]
Mrs. McClung had a relapse on Saturday that seems serious. Has been taking refuge in Michelet; just finished the third volume. Recommends Richard Wagner's autobiography; it is so honest and direct. W. S. C. [Stout #219]
Got away from the desert, but may yet go back and get Julio. Sorry to hear she is no better. Would like to go to France with her. Knows she will like Avignon. A good place to work. Enclosing a translation of a serenade Julio sang to her, which is not proper for a woman to sing to anyone but her lover or her husband. ["Serenata Mejicana," which ends "The heart of night is still—/ Beloved, sleep!"] W. S. C. [Stout #236]
Enjoyed her long letter. Hopes voyage will be restful. Enjoyed reading her paper about France in Scribner's. Glad to be back from the West; feeling worn out by its vastness. Couldn't exchange all of civilization for Julio. Reading vol. 9 of Michelet with Isabelle. W. [Stout #241]
Would have liked to go to France with her. Proofs of Pioneers coming in. Not so pleased with it as at first. Is getting acquainted with Olive Fremstad, who is rather overwhelming. W. S. C. [Stout #256]
Is going to Boston to visit Mrs. Fields for a week. Hopes she will come to visit when she gets back [from France]. Pioneers to be out in June. Has been reading proofs and feels happier with it again. Wants to tell her about the Swedish girl who was the model for the frontispiece; also about Fremstad. W. S. C. [Stout #258]
Swedish cousin has died in Paris. Spent a few days in Washington with her cousin's husband after he returned bringing the body. Is settling back into the apartment. Did about 28,000 words on new novel while in Pittsburgh. Has she seen the article about singers in the December McClure's? Fremstad likes it. Has been invited to Boston to visit Mrs. Fields, but can't go until after Christmas. Wishes she [ Sergeant ] were there to go to the ballet tonight. P.S.: Mrs. Fields's primness about a nude figure on the magazine cover is funny. W. S. C. [Stout #270]
Went to Maine June 7 and returned home yesterday. Had a wonderful time with Fremstad and then visited Mary Jewett. With Fremstad, was active every minute, fishing, rowing, hiking, and cooking. What a vigorous woman! Thornton Oakley would do good illustrations for a book on Provence. Scribner's would be a good publisher for it. Going to Wyoming soon. Isabelle will probably go to Italy during that time. W. [Stout #284]
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]
