Sorry to learn of her mother's death. Could not write at the time because hand still in brace. Was preparing to go to California to be with Roscoe, then in hospital in serious condition. Spent the summer there and did not get back to New York until late fall. Not doing much Christmas shopping this year; is enclosing only a small check. Regrets not seeing her mother in recent years. Has lost many old friends as well as brother Douglass. Life has been difficult. Willa Cather [Stout #1562]
Enjoyed her visit, but next day was found to have 102.8 degree fever and sent straight to the hospital. Had an inflamed gall bladder. Doctor wants to operate, but since fever is gone now prefers to wait. Doesn't see how she can come to Red Cloud as planned. Hates feeling defective. News from Roscoe [who had pneumonia in March, according to letter and telegram from brother Jack] is encouraging. He is able to sit up. Willie [Stout #1576]
Sorry not to have written in so long. The world is all in distress, everyone's lives disrupted. All the young people in her family caught up in the war. Mary Virginia and husband, Dick Mellen, at Camp Carson in Colorado, and her brother at a camp in Arizona, one of the least attractive spots in the state. Enjoyed having Mary Virginia in town for a visit recently. Another niece's husband is commander of an aircraft carrier in the Pacific. Everyone lives in suspense. Will paste their Christmas card with picture of Beacon Street into Annie Fields's Memories of a Hostess. Doesn't understand why Boston has messed up the area around Trinity Church. Spent last summer in Maine; very comfortable in spite of poor food. Wishing them a happy new year. Willa Cather. P.S.: Has sprained right hand again and is back in Dr. Ober's brace. [Stout #1657]
The long agony is finally over, leaving a beautiful world destroyed. True peace will not return for a long time. The San Francisco "Conference" [April 25–June 26, to draft the charter of the United Nations] a pathetic event. Her brother has been there, and everyone was irritable and hungry. Nothing to eat and journalists had to sleep on cots in the halls, but the Russians stayed on their battleships in the harbor, well provisioned with good wine and food—not taking chances, and is afraid they won't take chances in the future either. Please let them know when she plans to return to Norway; wants so much to see her again before she goes. [Stout #1708]
Brother Roscoe died in his sleep on September 25. He was less than two years older than she [actually four years younger] and is part of her earliest memories. Was the closest to her of all her brothers. Feels that something inside is broken. Very difficult to reply to all the letters of condolence. Thanks for sending his Practical Cogitator, but can't read small type due to eye trouble. Please destroy this letter. Had just finished a story she had been thinking about for a long time and was doing research for a larger project when the news came. Willa Cather [Stout #1719]
Is forwarding Cather's ballots. She has been away. Also, her brother died recently. Sarah J. Bloom, Secretary [Stout #1720]
Brother Roscoe died suddenly this past summer of a heart attack in his sleep. A great shock. This was the brother with whom she rambled about in the West and Southwest. He often came to New York in the winter to see her. Two cheerful letters from him reached her after she learned of his death. Wants close friends to know, will never be the same. Please don't try to reply. Willa [Stout #1722]
Hasn't written because devastated by the death of brother Roscoe. Feels only half alive. Two cheerful letters from him arrived after she learned of his death. Wants close friends to know, will never be the same. Willa Cather [Stout #1725]
Hasn't written because devastated by the death of brother Roscoe. Feels only half alive. Received two lines from him, quite cheerful, after the telegram telling of his death. Wants close friends to know, will never be the same. Thanks for the beautiful peach blossoms. Hand is bad again. [no signature] [Stout #1726]
Hasn't written because devastated by the death of brother Roscoe. Since then has felt only half alive. Were very close. Time spent with him in the West was the most real part of her life. Received two letters from him after the telegram announcing his death. Wants a few old friends to know that she is no longer the same. Likes her book on church symbolism very much and would like another copy to send to Mary Virginia. Willa Cather [Stout #1727]
