Has been studying Greek and reading Bulwer-Lytton and Dickens. Brothers Roscoe and Douglass competed in the Firemen's State Tournament. Is serving as a reporter for the Republican, edited by Dr. McKeeby. Has been to picnics in the Garbers' grove. Local couple flirting ridiculously. Jessie, Roscoe, and Douglass singing in cantata. Is going to baseball game in Superior, Nebraska, with Mary and Hugh Miner. Is going to dance at platform in the Garbers' grove tonight. Willa Cather [Stout #3]
Is writing after midnight, having left her for the last time before summer vacation. Felt overcome by the sight of Louise in her new dress. After much thought, chose the Rubáiyát [of Omar Khayyám, in popular translation by Edward FitzGerald] as a going-away gift. Reason she was not very sociable was prospect of parting. Wanted to make the traditional gesture of goodbye but feared Louise might be revolted. Not fair that friendships between women are regarded as not natural. Letter may be even more foolish than one left unsent in March. William [Stout #10]
Has just returned from a week in the Apennines. Spent two days in Pompeii and is enjoying the Pompeiian collection at the Naples Museum, also the beautiful Bay of Naples. The classical world seems close at hand. Has regained enough Latin to read Tacitus and Suetonius. Remembers seeing a picture of the bust of Caesar in a textbook when Mr. Goudy was her teacher, and now has seen it at the museum. Farmers working their fields just as in Virgil's Georgics. Goes on to Rome next week. Willa [Stout #137]
People she knows from Sweden and Norway have indicated possible interest there in translations of O Pioneers! and The Song of the Lark. Could he take it up with publishers, perhaps enclosing a copy of Edward Garnett's article in last February's Atlantic? Is enclosing a list of the best people to write. He can get their attention by mentioning that reviewers have thought Thea Kronborg was modeled after Olive Fremstad. Please send three dozen copies of the advertising booklet for her to send to people who inquire. Finishing some short stories for Reynolds to place, but will start on the next book soon. Hopes he can come to New York to discuss the Scandinavian possibilities. Will have a phone in soon and send him the number. Might he be there next Thursday [Dec. 21] for dinner with the Hambourgs, S. S. McClure, and Harry Dwight? McClure will tell everyone about the war. Willa S. C. [Stout #375]
May be interested to know Heinemann will publish an English edition of My Ántonia. Perhaps he has friends who could call attention to it? Glad O Pioneers! got Edward Garnett's notice. Willa S. Cather [Stout #457]
Negotiating with Mr. Davison at Bread Loaf, but he is awfully vague about details. Would she be willing to read the proofs of the new novel, to watch for anything false or misleading? Willa [Stout #578]
Thanks for the suggestion on negotiating with Mr. Davison. Will send page proofs when they come. Willa [Stout #579]
Summer plans still not clear, but believes she could come to Bread Loaf for part of July, for expenses plus $200 for a series of five lectures. Usually gets $200 per lecture or more. Willa Sibert Cather [Stout #580]
Sorry to be late getting to Bread Loaf, but expects to be there by mid-month. A friend, Miss Edith Lewis, will probably come, too. Could she get space at the inn? Willa Cather [Stout #608]
Glad Miss Lewis can come. The cottage suite sounds good. Will arrive the 12th. Willa Cather [Stout #609]
