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]
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]
Glad he is back from London. Has been socializing with Fremstad and with the Hambourgs lately, so not much writing. W. S. C. [Stout #386]
Sorry, can't commit anything for the first issue of the Mercury. Being treated for neuritis in right arm and has hardly written a thing all summer. Has three new stories planned. Too beautiful here to stay indoors and write anyway. Willa Cather [Stout #698]
Does not regard herself as an "effective force in American poetry," as Bartlett said. Of her own poetry, believes "A Likeness," "A Silver Cup," "Going Home," and "Macon Prairie" are the best. The most popular is probably "Spanish Johnny." [Stout #769]
Proofs still haven't arrived. When weather improves will start long horseback trip through Canyon de Chelly. So glad cars can't get there. If they prepare a publicity booklet using the London Mercury article, be sure to let her see proof. So easy to get incorrect biographical information into circulation. Please greet Hambourgs while in Paris. Is feeling fine except eyes hurt from the glare of sunshine. P.S.: After June 1 address will be Hotel La Fonda, Santa Fe. Willa Cather [Stout #834]
Thanks for the books. Notes errors in biographical information on William Archer, whom she knew beginning in 1908. Attended George Meredith's funeral with Archer in London and sat with him in [William Butler] Yeats's box with Lady Gregory at a performance by the Abbey Theatre Company in London. He was one of the first critics to recognize John Millington Synge's work. Was a great enthusiast of Ibsen and translated several of his plays. Hopes this can be corrected. Willa Cather [Stout #1458]
Regrets her letter has been lying unanswered for two months. Has been in Grand Manan. New York is insupportable, and travel west is difficult because roads [i.e., railroads] almost totally occupied with military transport. Only place she could go for quiet was to the island, and no mail was forwarded. S. S. McClure now lives at the Union League Club in New York. His eruptive energy has dissipated, replaced by an overwhelming gentleness and calm. If the war ever ends, hopes to get back to London and see her. Childhood years in both France and England must have produced an interesting person! Willa Cather [Stout #1674]
Does not yet know plans for spring and summer. Anticipates being in California for part of that time to see two brothers [Jack and James]. Will hope to meet with him when he is in town. Would have many things to talk about—such as the new edition of Shakespeare that cuts out what the editor considers unimportant. Does not want writers like John Dos Passos to be legally stopped from writing as they want, but wishes law would stop editors who tamper with classics. Brandeis's death a great loss to the work of the Supreme Court. Spent many evenings at his home during years in Boston and often saw the Brandeises at the opera. Was introduced to Mrs. James T. Fields by Mrs. Brandeis, who was a fine and intelligent woman in her own right. Life sometimes seems dreary when one thinks about the people who have gone. Remembers William Archer well; remembers being in Lady Gregory's box with him the night the Abbey players made their London debut. Saw Synge's The Playboy of the Western World. Archer helped open her mind to new kinds of theatrical drama. Looks forward to discussing their personal values when he comes to New York. Willa Cather [Stout #1749]
