Yes, the story Dorothy sent about the university roughneck has the same idea as her book. Maybe future readers will think it is more true than Three Soldiers [Dos Passos] . Knopf hopes to see Dorothy in June. Glad Claude can help her understand how she was feeling in that long-past time. Will finish page proofs soon, but doesn't know if she can ever leave this book behind her. Willa [Stout #595]
Thanks for her sympathetic reading of the novel and especially of Claude himself. Book is shaped by his sense of things. New book now starting on is more outward. Has cut out big chunks of it [ One of Ours ] and probably should cut out the chapter with the shell exploding under him. Willa [Stout #596]
Hopes Knopf will reduce the anticipated price of the book. Sorry Dorothy will be having to write a review while she is at sea, when she should be resting. Already looking forward to her return. Memory helps one see who were the really important people in one's life. Thanks for her help with One of Ours. It looked like a failure for a while. She rescued the boy. Willa [Stout #602]
Very touched by her letter about "Claude." Used to fear that her own people would never care about her writing. Claude and his mother are her tribute to Nebraska. Is sending her letter to Isabelle. Willa [Stout #614]
Has just returned from New Brunswick. Very glad she likes "Claude." People seem not to read it as a story but only as a statement about war. Pacifists keep writing her accusing letters. People don't seem able to separate political issues from art. P.S. [written at top left corner]: Just found this note written yesterday, after having written another today, so will send both. W—. Willa. [Stout #619]
Returned from New Brunswick yesterday. Sorry to have missed her. Glad she likes "Claude." It was exhausting to do, simply took over her life, but she now feels lonely for its company. Keeps getting accusing letters from pacifists who think the book extols war. Actually her only concern was its impact on her character. If she had titled it simply "Claude," as she wanted to, the point would be clearer. But does feel proud of it as a work of fiction. W. S. C. [Stout #620]
Appreciates his comments on the book in Issues of To-Day [?]. Would like to send a copy to Isabelle McClung. Glad he perceived her effort to present Claude equitably. Willa Cather [Stout #628]
Appreciates his good words, though they may make the highbrow critics all the more hostile. Is certain the novel is her best technically, and is certain she knew Claude through and through. Hopes he and Mrs. White will visit again when they are in New York. Willa Cather [Stout #629]
Appreciates his writing about the book. Can't remember ever wanting so much to get a character across as this one. Will hope to see him if she is in Omaha. Willa Cather [Stout #631]
Has been ill and won't be able to visit. Leaves tomorrow for Nebraska, too late to reach home for Thanksgiving. Annie Fields was even better than she said in her article. Claude has sold over 30,000. Willa [Stout #651]
