Please send recipe for cottage cheese and a container of furniture wax. Island is beautiful, all trees and wildflowers. House very peaceful with a view of sea from cliffs. But all security in life has collapsed since father died. Willie [Stout #975]
Sorry to hear her father died. A hard loss, she knows from experience. Looks forward to the day when she can be with her friends again. Willa Cather [Stout #999]
Yes, is the daughter of Jennie Boak Cather. Mother had stroke and is in sanitarium. Father died four [sic] years ago. Remembers Aunt Susan Hackney and cousin Katy Gamble. Appreciates invitation to visit. Willa Cather [Stout #1053]
Will go to Princeton tonight to receive honorary degree. Only feeling toward Shadows on the Rock is appreciation that it carried her through difficult time. Tried to capture reality of old life in Quebec. Jacques modeled on a nephew who still remembers how she pulled him uphill on his sled during the winter before father died, when he was five. Willa [Stout #1054]
Was pleased by his letter about Shadows on the Rock. Found it difficult to get a balanced view of the early historical figures of Quebec. Has long admired the quality of loyalty to a tradition and religion that she found there. Believes the France of two hundred years ago was a nobler place than the France or the United States of the present. Tried to be as accurate as possible, though did make some deliberate changes, such as the placement of the King's warehouse at that time. Appreciates his interest. P.S.: Some serious errors in Catholic observance in the first draft were corrected by Mrs. Garret McEnerny, of San Francisco. Willa Cather [Stout #1059]
Glad secretary sent his letter on to her. Quite willing for him to see her letter to Father Malone. Please give him her regards. Historians of Quebec say new book is accurate. Willa Cather [Stout #1067]
Returning Virginia's letter. Mary Virginia's wedding was beautiful. Was at the Little Church Around the Corner, which their father used to like so much when he came to New York. Isabelle insisted on attending. Likes the groom, Dick Mellen, a new M.D. from Harvard beginning internship at Bellevue Hospital. Mary Virginia will continue working at the library. Own plans not clear. P.S. to Carrie: Has the Miner farm been damaged by flooding of the Republican River? [Stout #1263]
Sorry not to have written in so long. Just back from Washington, where an old friend died. Did not know about Margie's death until later. How is Irene? She never answers letters. May have said or done something that offended her. Still gets the Red Cloud newspaper. Heard Evelyn Vesty was there for Louie's funeral. He was one of those who never grow up. Maybe that's the way to be happy. Glad her father did not live to see these hard times. Had hoped to be in Red Cloud for Christmas, but will not be able to get away. Has just received a huge gardenia bush from the Menuhins for her birthday. Would like to go see the Menuhins, but can't rest when she is with them, they are too exciting and she enjoys them too much. Did enjoy the twins' visit this summer. Sorry to be so gloomy, but is feeling tired. Always so much pointless activity when something new is published. Willie [Stout #1335]
Found his essay when she returned. Likes the way he presented his opinions of her books. Very fair, though too much emphasis on geographic surroundings. Not true the Southwest is not her own country in the way Nebraska is. On the contrary, knew it well. Please read her comments on Death Comes for the Archbishop. Believes it is quite possible to admire Latour and Vaillant equally, though they are so different. Willa Cather [Stout #1360]
Is very pleased by her letter. Is glad when French people find an authentic note in her two priests [in Death Comes for the Archbishop]. They were modeled on real figures from history whom she studied so closely she felt she knew them. Unfortunately, her student cannot hope to publish a translation of the book into French, as that has already been done and by now has been published. Will have Miss Bloom enclose a copy of the short essay about the writing of the book done for a Catholic publication [ Commonweal ]. Willa Cather [Stout #1366]
