P.S.: Obscure Destinies selling well in England. The pianist Myra Hess came by and said her friends were praising it, and reported good words John Galsworthy had asked her to convey. P.S.: Sorry little Bernard is ill, making Christmas sad. W. [Stout #1138]
Has taken on so many social engagements, doesn't have time to write letters. Both Myra Hess and the Menuhins are in town. Is glad to have a home again and to have Josephine back, cooking better food than ever! Edith so busy she can't do much about getting settled. How is Helen Mac's baby? Willie [Stout #1155]
She may want to listen to talk on the radio May 4.[Cather's speech at the Friends of Princeton University Library dinner, May 4, 1933, honoring Pulitzer Prize winners, is at Princeton.] P.S.: Please thank Helen Mac for the picture of the baby. Willie [Stout #1175]
Likes North to the Orient. Pass enclosed clipping along to Helen Mac; shows bad effects of a quarter century of movies and shabby publicity. Please get a side of bacon or a ham sent to Mrs. Lambrecht. W. [Stout #1285]
Is writing to let her know about Menuhin broadcast on March 29, but has wanted to write for some time. Doesn't take very seriously the authorial ambitions of so many young people. What they really want is the glamour they associate with being a writer or being in the movies or some other publicized activity. It's a fad. Likes Mary Virginia's husband. What did she name the little girl? Willa Cather Signed by S. J. Bloom [Stout #1307]
This Miss Mary Kiley is a doll! Such an appealing child! Wish the picture had come before Mary Virginia and her husband were there, so they could see it. Has a week of teas and dinners ahead, but will then go into seclusion for a while. W. S. C. [Stout #1349]
Appreciated his published letter to Edmund Wilson. Has wanted to say something along those lines herself—that economic conditions are a very small part of human life. Theorists the only ones interested in theories. Social crusaders seem to lose sight of individual human beings. Leo Tolstoi decided, in the end, that it was a mistake to try to reform society. Glad he stepped up to say the world is made up of persons, not masses, and that history, not theories, is our best guide to understanding humanity. Willa Cather [Stout #1357]
Sorry to hear of Bernard's death [Nell's husband and Helen's father]. He was so helpful to her parents. Knows from experience that they will never stop missing him. Willa Cather [Stout #1461]
Her Christmas card was a reminder to write. Missed her three years ago when in New York at Christmas; was in hospital with damaged right hand. Then Roscoe had heart attack, and went to California to be with him. So time passed. Hopes to go to Red Cloud before long, when fully recovered from surgery. Willa Cather [Stout #1614]
Greatly appreciates pudding she sent, which conveys real friendship. Has had a difficult year. Three old friends in Pittsburgh died, and has not heard from Carrie in a long time. Must have hurt her feelings or offended her in some way. Really did mean to go to Red Cloud in the fall, but coming back from Maine to find no household help was daunting. Didn't get anyone until November 1, and then had problems. Mary Virginia's visit helped, but only because she kept her distance, stayed at a hotel and only dropped by for brief visits. Sad, but any kind of pleasure or emotional excitement is exhausting. Nerves seem messed up since the operation. Would be impossible to go to Red Cloud, where there would be such emotional strain, both happy and troubling, not to mention scoffers like Helen Mac. Afraid she would cry all the time. Elsie has made things hard, too. [sentence blacked out] No use saying any more about that. All together, things have been difficult. Has received a nice letter from Mary, who says there are two sides to every story, which is true. Carrie seems to have given up on her. Wishing her a happy winter in Mexico and hopes she will come to New York next spring. Then she can see for herself how things are. Willie [Stout #1654]
