Sorry not to have seen her before she left. Father telegraphed that she should stop in Red Cloud. Now on the way to Gallup, N.M.; will read proofs [of My Mortal Enemy] there. W. [Stout #831]
Letter reached her in Wyoming, and she meant to answer it from Red Cloud but father had a heart attack. Better now. Came back to New York day before yesterday to vacate apartment. Putting things in storage. Has cancelled trip to France. Brother Douglass plans to take parents to California this winter. Doesn't suppose people who are used to movies will care for Death Comes for the Archbishop, a book without women. Sorry moviemakers will soon be at Acoma. Willa [Stout #890]
Thought she said legend, not folklore. A very different thing. The two priests' lives were like works of art. Hopes to go out to Arizona soon. Glad to autograph copy. A very gracious review. Willa Cather [Stout #896]
Will be glad to write the inscription for the memorial to Mrs. Brodstone [mother of Evelyn Brodstone] at the hospital. Remembers her well. Glad to hear she saw father and mother out driving. [Stout #899]
Has received a copy of America with his review of Archbishop; is pleased by his understanding of what she was doing. Prefers to call it a "historical narrative," though publisher refers to it as a novel because the public understands that term. Glad he realizes purpose was to celebrate the lives of two men of real nobility and their relationship with a place. The story really lay in their engagement with that place. P.S.: Would appreciate his sending her another copy of the journal, to send to her father. Willa Cather [Stout #904]
Thanks for his note about the book. Got a sense of the two priests from Howlett's book on Machebeuf. May be in Denver later in the winter. Appreciates the clergy's general willingness to overlook errors in details. Willa Cather [Stout #920]
Sorry to have been so demanding at a time when Blanche was ill. Father is improving. Will be in New York next week. Willa Cather [Stout #926]
Father died March 3, a week after she left for New York. Kept his boyishness to the end. Got back to Red Cloud just at dawn when he was laid out at the house, everyone else asleep, so had some time alone with him. So glad to have had long, happy winter visit with them. Mother has gone to California with Douglass. Is staying to get some repairs done on the house. Willa [Stout #928]
Hasn't answered her letter because so much has happened. Father died March 3, a quick, gentle death. Is staying on to get some repairs done on the house for when her mother comes back from California. Will hope to see her next time she is in Boston. Willa Cather [Stout #929]
Could as soon think of writing a history of China as to write the biography of Amy Lowell that Greenslet was trying to get her to do. Might consider taking up Austin's suggestion [?] but is not writing now. Father died in March. Has been to Mayo Clinic on the way back to New York. May go to California, where mother is visiting Douglass. Troubles almost too much just now. Willa Cather [Stout #934]
