Roscoe has been ill, but needs money worse than he needs her presence. How nice it is to have independence! Life has a lot of variety these days. Mr. Farrar broke his leg but is still capable of fun. Mrs. Canfield and Dorothy visited during Christmas. Turned the tables by introducing them to society. Many parties, including a dinner for Ethelbert Nevin. Has met interesting people—Anthony Hope Hopkins, F. Marion Crawford, Fridtjof Nansen. Went shopping with Nevin today, and he bought her a bunch of violets. Willa [Stout #47]
Wanted to ask about her future plans, but never had a chance to talk freely. Please explain to Mr. McNeny why she has been so little at his office— because wanted to spend as much time as possible with family. Willa [Stout #52]
Is studying Greek and being treated like a goddess. Hasn't seen the Nevins, but they have phoned and he has sent a copy of Shakespeare's sonnets. In Chicago had dinner with Mr. Dooley. He and the Peatties encouraged her to come there to work. Mrs. Peattie's new story in Atlantic ["The Man at the Edge of Things," reviewed by Cather Nov. 4] establishes her as a writer. Was met at the train station by Isabelle, looking beautiful. They have been walking in the hills and going to concerts. Has read all of Dorothy's letters from Paris. Had a nice visit with May Willard last night. P.S.: Will tell her about Alfred next time. Willa [Stout #58]
Has just heard about Mr. Gere's death. Can hardly imagine them without him. Shares their bereavement. Willa [Stout #99]
Appreciated her long letter. Missed Mr. Gere during her visit to Lincoln. Spent a week in Cheyenne with Douglass and a week camping in the Black Hills with Roscoe, then four weeks in Red Cloud helping her father around the new house. Jessie expecting a baby. Mrs. Garber still charming but sad from missing Mr. Garber, though he was a care. Wishes she could live in the West. Getting settled into school work again. Love to Mrs. Gere and to Ellen and Frances, and greetings to the Joneses and others. Willa [Stout #107]
Watching for "The Valley of the Mills" from Mr. Reynolds. Will be glad to give "Mortmain" another reading. Regrets he is taking an ironic tone. Why read and talk at all if one can't be candid? Willa Sibert Cather [Stout #115]
Envies his being in Italy. Is working on the material about Eddy, after three men failed with it. It drives out every trace of an imaginative idea. Why doesn't he like [Pierre] Loti—afraid of real imagination? He covers up his own with slang and imitations of Kipling. Or maybe he fears being sentimental. McClure has paid $500 for illustrations for "The Valley of the Mills." Was in Pittsburgh a couple of months ago and saw the Willards. Only music saves her in New York. Please ask Mr. Reynolds to send her his work personally. Willa S. Cather [Stout #125]
Glad to have his letter along saying he has confidence in her. Has started to work. Needs to have the April article to the printer in two weeks. Mr. McKenzie very helpful and a born editor. Willa S. Cather [Stout #126]
Story enclosed ["The Willing Muse," Century August 1907], with all grammatical errors found (she hopes) and corrected. Willa Sibert Cather [Stout #128]
Will need to treat the current litigation in the last chapter of the History of Christian Science. Wants to approach it by way of Eddy's relationship with her son, George Glover. Is going to Nebraska in late July, would like to see Mr. Glover while in the West. He could edit the article to safeguard Glover's interests in the suit. Would he like to borrow her copy of the 1881 edition of Science and Health? Willa Sibert Cather [Stout #129]
