It is nearing his birthday. Extends good wishes and praise for his achievements. Values his regard. It is a puzzling and disordered time. Public opinion in a state of confusion, moral values being overthrown without the creation of new ones. The regard of people one esteems is the only source of satisfaction in today's world. He is the only public figure with whom she has corresponded who is not exiled. Many scholars have been driven out of their homelands and taken refuge in America. Willa Cather [Stout #1251]
Arrived last week after a rough voyage that she enjoyed. Isabelle will never improve, but was feeling somewhat better than in the summer. Likes Anne Morrow Lindbergh's book [North to the Orient, 1935]. P.S.: Please send a copy of the Cape edition of The Song of the Lark. Willa Cather [Stout #1278]
Enjoyed her Christmas card, with its sprig of sage. Spent a very pleasant time in Italy latter part of summer after wearing herself out caring for a sick friend. Returned shortly before Christmas. Enjoyed the rough passage, but Edith so sick she had to be carried off the boat. Still hasn't caught up on her letters. Doesn't she like the Anne Lindbergh book! Willa [Stout #1295]
Is sending him a book of essays including one he may especially enjoy about Boston before World War I, "148 Charles Street," which begins on page 52. Thinks of the years before 1914 as a pleasant time in Europe and America when one could travel without passport to so many wonderful places that it was hard to choose. Always remembers his good words to her. Willa Cather [Stout #1334]
Enjoyed reading The Prodigal Parents, reminded her so of home. Americans are so naïve! Don't seem to realize there is such a thing as evil in the world. But American kindness shines through, too. America has let in too many immigrants who proved to be crooks and do-nothings, and their grandchildren are ruining the country. The U.S. is in trouble! Willa Cather [Stout #1392]
Thinks of her often. Believes California must be making her homesick for Paris. Failures from all over America drift to the west coast, making it a dismal place. Is returning to New York next week. Isabelle still doing well. P.S.: Miss Lewis sends love. Aunt Willa [Stout #1416]
Appreciated his offering her a copy of Lord Tweedsmuir, but didn't answer because completing her new book. Knopf pleased with it. Has not yet received Audubon's America, and looks forward to it as well as the book on Tweedsmuir. Glad they have both known such fine people. Greatly admires the present conduct of the British. Even Stephen Tennant, as pampered as he has been, says he is proud to be in England now. Finished reading Churchill's Life of Marlborough at Grand Manan and considers it a very great work. P.S.: The books have arrived. Willa Cather [Stout #1491]
Appreciates his kind words in his Second Reader, three years ago now, and appreciates his reprinting of Kenneth Grahame's Golden Age, as well as his bringing to her attention the paper on Boswell by Pottle. Recommends Johnson without Boswell, recently published by Knopf. Is it really he who is acting in The Man Who Came to Dinner? Such a surprise! Recommends French Hospital, where nurses speak French and even cooks are French. Had very good care and good food. A Catholic hospital, but nurses not nuns, so no black habits about. One accompanied the wife of ex-president of Chile on airplane when President Roosevelt provided her transportation back to Santiago. American airmen so fine—keep up her faith in America in spite of Communists having gotten hold of much of the country. Willa Cather [Stout #1533]
Sorry to have to send her a typed letter. Had a wet summer in Maine. Left the New York heat in June for Portland, which she remembered as being very pleasant, but with all the shipbuilding going on it is miserable. So they went to the Asticou Inn in Northeast Harbor, which was cool but rainy. Bar Harbor is practically deserted. Hitler has ruined the New World as well as Europe. Is looking forward to a visit from her niece in October and Yehudi and Nola Menuhin with their two children after that. Will share a letter from them about their recent tour of South America. Yehudi has been to England to entertain soldiers, went over on bomber. Willa Cather [Stout #1639]
Returned a week ago from vacation. Is glad to divide royalty from Armed Services edition of My Ántonia evenly. Puzzled by reference to a proposal for Spanish and Portuguese translations for marketing in South America, having heard from a friend that a translation was being made in Spain to be sold there. This proposal Greenslet presents doesn't sound very profitable. Let it go. Willa Cather [Stout #1675]
