Unable to send new copies of the Standard Oil book [by Ida Tarbell], as the book business has been sold, but Mr. McClure is sending copies from his personal library. Willa Sibert Cather [Stout #147]
Will need the two articles in translation by July 1 and July 15. [Ida] Tarbell is glad to hear of his interest in the Standard Oil book. Mr. McClure would join her in sending greetings, but is in Paris. Willa Sibert Cather [Stout #156]
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]
Judge McClung died three weeks ago. Wishes she had reviewed the book. Misses Thea's company. Had feared Fremstad might be angry about the book, but she liked it exceedingly. W. [Stout #340]
Has sent the tent company a description of what she wants. Hopes it will be there by Saturday [Aug. 9]. Please let her know when he is coming. Avoid Sunday; too much traffic. Willa Cather [Stout #471]
Delighted to see the good review in yesterday's Times [of Déclassée, which opened at the Empire Theatre on October 6 with Ethel Barrymore in the lead]. Seems a triumph—a word that can only be used for the theater since the advent of trench warfare. Confident the play has real quality, is not just what is usually popular. Will go see it as soon as she gets back to New York. Willa Cather [Stout #477]
Telephone company says that only new mothers can get a phone. That would be funny! Please send books she can send to William Allen White in Kansas. Nice he wants them. Century has made an offer she wants to discuss with him. P.S.: Nice of Mrs. Austin to go to the trouble [to write an article about her]. W. S. C. [Stout #484]
Hopes he will be in New York before January 7. Please change the mustard-color binding of O Pioneers!. If the company doesn't want to bother with the book, how much would they want for the rights to it? Has agreed to let Knopf bring out a new edition of The Troll Garden in early spring. Will make sure it isn't at the same time as "Claude." P.S.: The Bookman ad was the only time they were willing to make bold claims for the quality of her books. Willa Cather [Stout #489]
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]
Enjoyed the fruit basket during her crossing. Hotel is just across from the Louvre. Enjoying theatre and music inexpensively, though merchandise in shops is high. Will go to the South with the Hambourgs in two weeks. Willa Cather [Stout #687]
