Has not written sooner because of influenza soon after getting back. Went to a concert given by Yehudi Menuhin and out to supper with him and has felt unwell ever since. And secretary went away on vacation! Keeps thinking about happy weeks in Red Cloud and visits with Carrie and Mary. Probably it was run-in with Will Auld that has unsettled her. Isn't even sleeping well. He still won't give her the facts on whether the mortgage in question has been recorded. Willie [Stout #1097]
Will write a proper letter after Yehudi Menuhin sails next week. Was sick with influenza all of February and since then trying to catch up on all sorts of things. Has a copy of Lorenzo and will write about it soon. Willa [Stout #1107]
Letters seem to have crossed. Edith sent Traveler's Aid booklet so Carrie could see pictures of real people the Society has assisted, not as an appeal for donation. Glad to get good news about Helen Mac [baby?] . Had a nice visit with Yehudi Menuhin day before he left for France. What a lovely person! Willie [Stout #1108]
Enjoyed their Christmas letters and rereads them when feeling down. Wishes they could come see her and Edith's apartment. Furniture prices low these days, so they have added some good new pieces to go with the old. Enjoying it very much. Went to celebration for Yehudi Menuhin's sixteenth birthday last week. Must stop and go help Josephine defrost the refrigerator. Willa [Stout #1159]
Often wishes she had time to write her a long letter. Business matters wear her out. Has been struggling to prevent radio broadcasts of her books. Also letters about translations. Would prefer to spend her time producing new work. Knopf indulges her determination to avoid commitments. Happiest part of the season has been the presence of the Menuhin family. Enjoyed reading Shakespeare with the children and sledding with Yehudi on his birthday, followed by a small party with champagne smuggled in by his mother. Enclosing letters from Hephzibah and Yaltah, but she must not show them to anyone. Willie [Stout #1215]
Wishes she could have accompanied them to Marseilles; has always liked it. Isabelle wrote that Yehudi's concert in Paris was a great success. Expects to finish new book before leaving in July for Grand Manan. Hoping hand will be well enough to let her enjoy the rougher life there. Will use splint if it hurts. As Shakespeare writes, "My very chains and I grow friends..." Hopes they can read Shakespeare together again some day. Greetings to all. Aunt Willa [Stout #1225]
With Edith Lewis, is sailing in a few days. Glad to receive her letter from South Africa. Her visit to the cave interesting. As for herself, prefers to stay on the surface. Surprising that she found Lucy Gayheart so far from New York. Isabelle asked that they leave Paris without saying goodbye, and will do so. She is very ill. Must get home and get back to work, to keep a sense of reality. Sorry not to be in Paris for Yehudi's first European recital. Willa Cather [Stout #1276]
Might want to listen to broadcast of Yehudi Menuhin on Sunday, March 29. Please let Irene know, too. W. [Stout #1304]
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]
Sending two copies of prospectus about autograph edition. Ridiculously expensive, but wanted Carrie to see it. Enclosing letters from Roscoe and twins. They met Yehudi Menuhin and both parties liked each other. Yehudi always likes genuine people. Has started a new book. Willie [Stout #1375]
