Believes the article he mentioned was published in the Saturday Review and written by that inveterate liar Ford Madox Ford. Certainly never led any group of ladies to go see A. E. Housman. Did meet him, but not at Cambridge. Did not talk about his poetry. This has been very annoying. Alfred Knopf has suggested she write her recollection of the meeting, to silence questions. Will probably do so some time, in the plain style of her recollections of meetings in Not under Forty. Willa Cather [Stout #1355]
Thanks for protecting her from the reporter. Weather too damp to go out, but evening will probably be fine. W. S. C. [Stout #1391]
Appreciated his letter about dedicating the altar rail at Grace Church, a place she loves as she loves few others. Remembers the evening of her and parents' confirmation, which meant so much to them all. Glad to hear Molly Ferris was able to be there for the dedication. Hopes to visit Red Cloud this winter and talk with him about the things that have kept her away. Willa Cather [Stout #1493]
Has been thinking about Undset since reading her Elleve Aar, or The Longest Years. [Elleve Aar, literally "eleven years," was an autobiographical novel about Undset's childhood. It was first published in English translation in 1935, titled The Longest Years.] Was in France in 1937 when the translation appeared, but had not read it until now. Would like to ask about many things in the book. Can claim that in one way she surpassed Undset in childhood, in that when she was seven, she could sew quite well! Was pleased to read that on Christmas Day a Nebraska boy had taken down four Jap planes—even more pleased to discover he was Bob Smith from Red Cloud, who had gone to school with her nieces. Liked his cable to his father [quoted in the clipping: "Just arrived from Kumming. Came through both battles of Rangoon safely. Knocked down four ships personally. Happy New Year."]. There are millions of American boys like him, but not from big cities. Please come spend an evening as soon as their siege of visitors from the West is lifted. [Stout #1570]
[Quotes a sentence written by him on a postcard that she had apparently tucked into a copy of Salammbo eight years ago: "Marseilles in spring was wonderful—the foliage of the plane trees, the pink evening sky, the old skull-colored city: very wicked and old, with no regrets."] That sentence restores her confidence in Lascar. Tells more about Marseilles than anything in Joseph Conrad's Arrow of Gold—his weakest book, of course. This sentence is authentic. Willa Cather [Stout #1705]
Claude [One of Ours] seems to have caused a commotion. People are reading the novel incorrectly as a position statement as if in a debate. Friends including Mencken and Fanny Butcher do not like it. They expected another My Antonia. Can't be expected to do the same things again and again, but hates to lose friends. They claim the book lacks the deep human touch of the earlier books and think she tried to write a spectacular war novel. Many like the book a lot, but they are not the people she hoped to satisfy. In life and in art there are always tradeoffs. Has lost friends but advanced technically as a writer. Please read enclosed reviews to Dr. Tyndale, even though his mind is feeble with age and drugs. If she reads them aloud, he'll understand a little, and he deserves whatever pleasures he can get. She herself is the only thing in his life that has succeeded. Confidentially: Knopf has sold 15,000 copies with 18,000 in reserve—a gamble that will pinch him if there are no re-orders. He invested heavily in the book but says if he goes under on it so be it. Gets thirty-seven cents herself for each copy sold. Sinclair [Lewis] review in tonight's New York Evening Post calls it a failure and asks why a woman should write about war. Why indeed? But the topic chose her, she had to do it. Skip the Lewis review with Dr. Tyndale, but do read Zoë's and both of Burton Rascoe's. Will send Heywood Broun's review later. Is in bed and not feeling very literary. Just returned yesterday, hasn't even unpacked. Has seen only Knopf, but has received a lot of correspondence offering both congratulations and condolences! Willie
Has still not received letter Elsie promised, but maybe the Grand Manan post office forwarded it incorrectly and it will yet come. Has been in Jaffrey for two weeks and will go to New York October 3rd. Enclosed is a check for amount still remaining on the three hundred dollars promised for upkeep of the house. Already paid Carrie Sherwood for some things. Is sending Mollie fifty dollars; hopes she does not mind. Glad Mollie used the velvet dress. Where is Bess? Only fair to cover her summer medical expenses, since Elsie took care of her. Wants to hear about Elsie's summer. Please write soon. Willie
Visited Mary Smith with Isabelle yesterday and brought roses. Though Mary looked bettered and is still sore, she was lively and talkative. She's much older now, but is still herself, and she sends greetings. Saw Walter Gore at the bank. He was civil, but not too friendly; did not invite her to visit his wife a block away. Father will recall that when Aunt Lillian Gore arrived from Europe with silver for Walter and his new wife, she was not treated very cordially, and she left for Washington very angry. Walter is fine: he isn't too concerned with his extended family and doesn't behave otherwise. Enjoyed seeing Jennie Smith, now Mrs. Garvin, in Gore [Virginia]. She's heavy and has hardly any teeth, but manages to seem distinguished nonetheless. She has seen many weddings and funerals, the most recent being Aunt Mary (Liza) Trone, who was a housekeeper for Captain Mure. Saw the old Captain—complete with fine white beard—on horseback as straight as ever. Spent a gorgeous day hiking to Anderson's Cove, seeing the wonderful view there for the first time. Talked with Ellen Anderson near her well-kept house and garden; she was eager to talk, and so serious about her claims to like city living that they dared not smile. Later, Ellen came down on horseback for another visit together. Saw Giles and Dorothy leave for the North River on their ancient boat; they returned dressed for winter, complete with fur cap and veil. They drove a fat, drowsy horse and carried some watermelons. Did not get to eat any before leaving. Giles will be pleased to see the seeds father sent; saw them in the post office. Sends love. Willie
Tell father that sending the book [ Death Comes for the Archbishop ] via air mail was Knopf's extravagance, not her own. Is not leaving on the Berengaria while father is so ill. Edith has been very understanding. Their possessions will be in storage soon, and they may go to New Mexico and Arizona. Edith wishes to avoid an extended vacation in New England, and they would like to see southern Arizona. After packers come on Monday, will be at Pennsylvania hotel, so send correspondence to Knopf. Is glad Helen Louise did not mind Guide Rock too much. Was very negligent not to have realized that there was no train until the evening. It has been a bad summer. Willa
"Occultation" is correct. Saw it as a girl sitting on wooden sidewalk in Nebraska, and people there called it "transit." Was foolish not to research it more carefully when writing the story ["Two Friends"], but it has been corrected in second printing [of Obscure Destinies]. Thank you. Willa Cather
