[All comments are written in margins of a letter to W. Cather from Edward Wagenknecht, University of Washington Department of English, dated November 11, 1938, asking Cather about her early short fiction and declaring intentions to publish a collection of the stories.] [In top margin:] Believes this ninny can be stopped legally. Four of the stories in his proposed Table of Contents not hers anyway—just group work of the University of Nebraska weekly theme class. [After a quote from a collection of George Eliot's early pieces about idealistic motivation for making early work of major authors available for all to study:] Nonsense. He just wants to publish a volume with his own preface. [In bottom margin:] This is so annoying! His collection is mostly old college papers, which weren't copyrighted because they were published in cheap outlets by professors like this one trying to promote their departments. [On back of letter:] This happens again and again—people wishing to get out a book with their own brilliant preface—for old college papers! [Written on a small note accompanying letter:] No need to return this. He writes often, sometimes in a cajoling way, sometimes a bullying one. Silly man! [On back of this note:]Here's a place to get the brand of sherry.
A real friend has died[Samuel Knopf?], someone important in the business, and all will feel the impact. Feels like celebrating Virginia's renewal of scholarship, so encloses check. Too bad it isn't bigger, but her impressive railroad stocks earn nothing. Willie.
