Probably will not go back to Pittsburgh until September. Magazine has been sold. Will try to get a newspaper job. Afraid Mr. Seibel has not been paid. Jack enjoying the brownies [rubber] stamp. Is going hunting with older brother in August. Is sending Erna [Seibels' baby] a spoon. P.S.: Has been reading Charles Lamb's Dramatic Essays. Willa Cather [Stout #40]
Is studying Greek and being treated like a goddess. Hasn't seen the Nevins, but they have phoned and he has sent a copy of Shakespeare's sonnets. In Chicago had dinner with Mr. Dooley. He and the Peatties encouraged her to come there to work. Mrs. Peattie's new story in Atlantic ["The Man at the Edge of Things," reviewed by Cather Nov. 4] establishes her as a writer. Was met at the train station by Isabelle, looking beautiful. They have been walking in the hills and going to concerts. Has read all of Dorothy's letters from Paris. Had a nice visit with May Willard last night. P.S.: Will tell her about Alfred next time. Willa [Stout #58]
Can offer a four article series, one dealing with German education, one on municipal government, and two others on whatever he thinks important about German civilization. Series title might be "When I Came Home." Will run in four consecutive numbers. All right to do something on German theater for a literary magazine such as Atlantic. Willa Sibert Cather [Stout #174]
Sorry she didn't get the invitation to his wedding. Heard he was married, but not that he was in Wisconsin. A good place to teach. McClure's never uses literary articles. Might try Atlantic Monthly. A lot of trash written about Robert Browning, but he remains popular because behind his hectic style are strong ideas fairly near common sentiment. [Breaks off] [Stout #204]
Has just read her essay on Provence in Century. Is busy with proofs. Jack is off in Maine. A musical critic is reading galleys and is enthusiastic, especially about the singing lessons. Would have felt bad if those hadn't been right! Has she seen Henry James's article about Mrs. Fields in the June Atlantic? Isn't she disappointed in Owen Wister's novel? [Pentecost of Calamity, 1915] P.S.: Loves her khaki outfit for the cliff dwellings— reminds her of Kurt's outfit in Fidelio [ Beethoven ]. Willa [Stout #310]
Has written to McClure about providing a sketch, but he is away in Texas. Will try to write the article for Book News if he will send more specific instructions. Let Mr. Scaife know about the quotable reviews in the Boston Advertiser and the New Bedford Standard. P.S.: Wondering if it will be reviewed in the Atlantic. Willa Cather [Stout #330]
Can he come to dinner on Thursday Dec. 21 at seven? S. S. McClure and Isabelle McClung Hambourg will be there. Enjoyed his poem in the Atlantic. Willa Cather [Stout #374]
People she knows from Sweden and Norway have indicated possible interest there in translations of O Pioneers! and The Song of the Lark. Could he take it up with publishers, perhaps enclosing a copy of Edward Garnett's article in last February's Atlantic? Is enclosing a list of the best people to write. He can get their attention by mentioning that reviewers have thought Thea Kronborg was modeled after Olive Fremstad. Please send three dozen copies of the advertising booklet for her to send to people who inquire. Finishing some short stories for Reynolds to place, but will start on the next book soon. Hopes he can come to New York to discuss the Scandinavian possibilities. Will have a phone in soon and send him the number. Might he be there next Thursday [Dec. 21] for dinner with the Hambourgs, S. S. McClure, and Harry Dwight? McClure will tell everyone about the war. Willa S. C. [Stout #375]
Will leave it up to Mr. Reynolds whether to serialize the book. Off soon on a long pack trip by horse. Willa Cather [Stout #833]
Please relay her thanks to Van Loon. Suggests she see May issue of Atlantic Monthly for something by her drawn from Virginia [poem "Poor Marty"]. So glad to have caught the errors in Shadows. W. S. C. [Stout #1049]
