Wrote to him from New Mexico, but he may not have received letters. Sorry to hear about Mrs. McClure's illness and his business troubles. People should be as generous to him as he has always been to others. Contracts have been changed so much it is hard to know what his share of the company now is. Will help with autobiography without charge for friendship's sake. Hopes she can write the articles as he wants them. He will recall that she couldn't hit what he wanted in some parts of the Christian Science series. Hasn't written a bit since she left New York, but is suntanned and healthy and in good humor again. Hopes people will forget how cross she was. It was from fatigue. Will never let little things bother her so much again. Willa Cather [Stout #235]
Has set aside "The Blue Mesa" to work on a novel with western setting about the same length as O Pioneers!. Is about half through the first draft. How late could she get manuscript in to have a fall publication date? May have it by end of May or middle of June. If a fall publication this year not possible, will probably set it aside and do more stories. Reynolds can get $700 each for them. Willa Sibert Cather [Stout #382]
Will try to finish the manuscript in time for fall publication. Doesn't want illustrations unless she can find just the right person. Would like a cover of dark blue with perhaps a bright yellow jacket. Willa Cather [Stout #383]
Will be glad to help with Albertieri's book about dance, but doubts he will split the manuscript into two. Rather than the illustrators he suggested, believes Benda might do something for the new book. Willa S. Cather [Stout #384]
Will be back to Bank Street Oct. 10. Making good progress on the novel. Houghton Mifflin urging her to hurry. Sending a rough first draft of a story called "Explosives." Willa S. Cather [Stout #393]
Glad to accept contract for Continental rights of the next book. Will certainly accept reduced royalties on O Pioneers! in a soldiers' edition. Century will start "Office Wives" series in January and wants the book rights. Trusts Houghton Mifflin will not mind. Wants to discuss the physical design of the novel when he comes to town. Will invite Benda to dinner and ask him about doing head and tail pieces. Otherwise, would prefer no illustrations. Has tried drawing her own. Willa Cather [Stout #394]
Has been in New Hampshire and only now learned of Carrie's mother's death. It may have been a mercy. A character much like Mrs. Miner [ Mrs. Harling ] is in the novel she is working on. Book will be dedicated to Carrie and Irene. As one gets older, one's early impressions become clearer and more precious. Willie Cather [Stout #396]
Sending first two chapters. Should run no longer than 65,000 words. Wants same type as O Pioneers! on rough, cream-colored paper. Please send proofs of the pages they set for the dummy, so she can see the visual effect. P.S.: Has no other copy of these pages, so don't lose them! Willa Cather [Stout #398]
Chose Benda to do pen-and-ink drawings after seeing his drawings for Jacob Riis's The Old Town, for which Macmillan paid him $900. Expected to have about a third as many for her book. Benda will not do what they had decided on for the amount Houghton Mifflin is offering. Might do something simpler and easier for that amount. Will work with him on some new ideas. Is cutting the book so it will be very little longer than O Pioneers!. Willa S. Cather [Stout #400]
Sent fifty pages of the manuscript by registered mail today. Please send his impressions. Hopes for proofs of the drawings soon. W. S. C. [Stout #403]
