Appreciated the roses he sent. Sailing March 24 but will plan to autograph his book when she returns. Hopes he likes the new one, to be out in the fall. Willa Cather [Stout #679]
Glad he likes A Lost Lady. Especially pleases her when midwestern people like her books. Going to Aix-les-Bains soon. P.S.: Saw Mr. McClure two weeks ago. Willa Cather [Stout #688]
Glad to have his confirmation that people in Omaha pay no attention to Mrs. Shotwell. Touched by Harvey Newbranch's column. Glad people of Nebraska are pleased with her article in The Nation. Not sure if she can get painting to Omaha by December 10. Glad to report that A Lost Lady is going into a third printing after only a week. Willa Cather [Stout #702]
Sorry she hadn't understood he expected her to be in Omaha for the unveiling of the portrait. No longer plans to be in Nebraska for Christmas; is working on a new book. Would much rather visit when there is no ceremony going on. Has also declined to give William Vaughn Moody lectures in Chicago. People seem bent on keeping her from writing! Picture will be shipped tomorrow. Willa Cather [Stout #709]
Is pleased with the idea of doing an edition of Jewett. Will add "The Queen's Twin," "A Dunnet Shepherdess," and "William's Wedding" to the Pointed Firs sketches. Hears from her local librarian that younger readers sometimes think Jewett's books look like children's books. Type and size of volumes should look more modern. P.S.: Movie rights of A Lost Lady have sold for $12,000. Willa Cather [Stout #718]
Between a friend's illness and Josephine's, is driven to distraction, but has started the introduction and will send it to Miss Jewett to see if she accepts. Burton Rascoe caused a lot of mischief. Wants to place "The Queen's Twin" between "A Dunnet Shepherdess" and "William's Wedding." Enclosing a list of stories for second volume. List: (1) "A White Heron" (2) "The Flight of Betsey Lane" (3) "The Dunham Ladies" (4) "Going to Shrewsbury" (5) "The Only Rose" (6) "Miss Tempy's Watchers" (7) "Martha's Lady" (8) "The Guests of Mrs. Timms" (9) "The Town Poor" (10) "The Hiltons' Holiday" (or "Decoration Day"?) (11) "Aunt Cynthia Dallet" Willa Cather [Stout #729]
Appreciates her kindness to mother and to Margie. Loved Margie with the special love one reserves for children or those whose minds never grow up. Enjoyed cooking for her and caring for her a little when she went home. They understood each other. Is fairly well; writing on The Professor's House, which should be out next fall. Funny to think of Jessie going around with the movie people on A Lost Lady! Willie [Stout #754]
Feels honored to receive his letter and glad to have introduced to him the Bohemian people she knew in Nebraska. While in Red Cloud for Christmas took the original Ántonia and six of her children to see the movie of A Lost Lady. Usually remains friendly with her characters. Wishes she could introduce to him the real Ántonia and her children. The Midwest is such a combination of contradictories that she can only write about what she lived. Has no biographical material to send him except a publicity brochure from Knopf. Is still only beginning to find her proper voice in fiction. Willa Cather [Stout #768]
Appreciated his Easter greeting and candy. Glad he likes the new story ["Uncle Valentine"?, Feb., March 1925] and Ántonia. Some day he will realize A Lost Lady is a better book than O Pioneers!. Willa Cather [Stout #780]
Enjoyed his book [ The Great Gatsby ] and never even supposed the passage he points out was derived from A Lost Lady. Inevitable that in describing beauty one could only write about the feelings it evoked in oneself. Willa Cather [Stout #781]
