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]
Doesn't like pictures like this, in the Grant Wood style, on Christmas cards, but bought them to help someone. Might think of the cowboy-looking shepherds as C.C.C. fellows [Civilian Conservation Corps, a New Deal initiative] and one of the angels above as President Roosevelt. W. S. C. [Stout #1346]
Sending two copies of prospectus about autograph edition. Ridiculously expensive, but wanted Carrie to see it. Enclosing letters from Roscoe and twins. They met Yehudi Menuhin and both parties liked each other. Yehudi always likes genuine people. Has started a new book. Willie [Stout #1375]
Have final corrected proofs of The Song of the Lark been sent to Cassell? Have no way of knowing whether the galleys they say they have received are the final corrected ones. Please check. [Stout #1413]
Appreciates the information. [Stout #1414]
Has not been writing many letters recently, except to family and to friends of Isabelle. In December 1937 brother Douglass came to New York to spend her birthday with her. He died on June 13, 1938, age fifty-two, the only joyful and attractive member of the family. On October 10 Isabelle died in Sorrento of nephritis after four-year illness, during which her loving though unreliable husband cared for her. This has been the hardest year of her life. Is enclosing a letter from Jan Hambourg. Please return it, but don't write back. Is worn out with letters about Isabelle. Enjoyed [the picture of ?] Dorothy's two granddaughters. Enjoyed having her two nieces with her at Grand Manan in the summers of 1936 and 1937. Both married this year—as well as three Menuhins! Likes Yehudi's wife. Appreciates receiving Dorothy's new book and will read it soon. Eyes giving her trouble, but what is worse is the trouble of keeping people away who want to come and comfort her. Doesn't want them; wants quiet for reflection. Willa [Stout #1440]
Like Henry Seidel Canby, does not believe in teaching contemporary literature. More important to use limited school time to teach classics of English literature. Essential reading in school includes Shakespeare, Milton, Fielding, Jane Austen, with Thackeray, George Eliot, George Meredith, and Thomas Hardy as the most recent. Young people should read contemporary literature as they want to, not as assignments. True literary taste is as rare as perfect pitch, but students can glean something from exposure to the classics, even if they don't have real aptitude. [Stout #1454]
Is sending a book she meant to send at Christmas, about several modern writers [apparently including herself]. Recommends she read chapter in School of Femininity, by Margaret Lawrence. Only Carrie and Mary, among people in Red Cloud, would read it without feeling spiteful. Has heard someone in Red Cloud claims to be the original of Lucy Gayheart, but Carrie knows who the skater was. Does she remember for sure the color of Sadie Becker's eyes? Hasn't been writing letters; still can't get over grieving for Douglass. They had such a joyful time when he came for her birthday. Will never be the same since losing both him and Isabelle. Only the affection of the Menuhins cheered her this past year. Enjoys knowing Yehudi's wife P.S.: Sorry to have missed seeing Father Fitzgerald; was in New Hampshire. Leaving for Canada soon. Willie [Stout #1455]
Pleased by A. E.'s remarks quoted on page 81 in Yale Review. Willa Cather [Stout #1457]
Returned from Canada only a few days ago [?] to find even the poorest quality wines very expensive. Appreciates his sharing Margaret Kennedy's letter about quality of life in England nowadays. Wants to show it to her niece before returning it. Hopes he will like the new book. Not true it was five years in the writing, since for much of that time she wasn't writing at all. P.S.: Has received a case of Sancerre Sauvignon 1938, from the Anjou region. Does he know it? Willa Cather [Stout #1501]
