Sorry to hear of her loss [ Louise Pound's father, Stephen B. Pound, died in 1911 ]. Willa Sibert Cather [Stout #196]
Anne Douglas Sedgwick has sent a note written by him praising My Mortal Enemy. Appreciates his favor. Most of her books made out of old memories from which the extraneous has dropped away. Now reading proofs of a book that gave her joy to write, Death Comes for the Archbishop. Willa Cather [Stout #883]
Please do all he can to help Stephen Tennant enjoy Jaffrey. Willa Cather [Stout #1279]
Typescript of A Lost Lady was surely forged. Burned the only one she had before moving from Bank Street. Hopes he will be able to see Libel, current play. Her English friend who is staying at Jaffrey [ Stephen Tennant ] is enjoying the snow there. Glad to autograph books for him whenever he sends them. Going for a walk in the park in a little while. Willa Cather [Stout #1291]
Has been sick in bed for three days. Never got her telegrams. Was in New Hampshire March 14 through 25 [with Stephen Tennant?], but Edith would have received them. Except for these last few days, has been quite well all winter. Glad she is back from Europe. Willa [Stout #1315]
The debate over Joseph Conrad is endless. Prefers a more direct, unadorned sentence style. Few writers can give themselves up to baroque emotionalism and succeed. Turgenev could. Conrad becomes artificial or decadent. Listened to the king's abdication speech on the radio [Edward VIII abdicated on December 11, 1936] and found it plausible and distinguished. An example of rhetorical control. What does he think of the people close to the king? [letter breaks off] [Stout #1350]
Sorry not to have seen her while she was in New York. Was in Washington when she arrived, and then Mary Virginia's husband hospitalized with pneumonia. Then had to do all her work on corrections and design elements for Houghton Mifflin subscription edition on such a tight schedule she could not see anyone except Mary Virginia until finished. Alfred Knopf in Europe, so couldn't be there to help. Please send Stephen's address at Columbia; hopes to see him. Willa Cather [Stout #1356]
Is not writing many letters but devoting time to work. At tea time, often thinks of Lascar [his book-in-progress]. Looks forward to reading a book about that place [ Marseilles ]. Conrad gives a glimpse of it in The Arrow of Gold before the book goes off in other directions. How is he? and where is he? P.S.: Will probably leave for the Canadian Rockies about July 15. W. S. C. [Stout #1367]
Sent him a letter at Aix-les-Bains, but he may not receive it, so sending this to his home address. Please send an advance copy of his book and she will take it up with Knopf. Hand is better. Is enjoying the weather. Geologists tell her the rock that makes up their island is thirty-six million years old but has not been above water all that time. Lovely spruce trees keep it cool and shady. W. S. C. [Stout #1372]
...concerning translations and editions. Has learned to gain happiness by replicating the Miracle of Loretto, which she once thought the most preposterous of all religious tales. Will tell him some time. It's not a matter of religion. W. [Stout #1374]
