Is something wrong? Is she ill? Isabelle had diphtheria while in Boston in January and is still weak. Please write. Hopes to have a finished manuscript to ask her to read soon. Willie [Stout #93]
Sorry to have missed him. Felt ill and left early. Can they have an appointment July 2 or 3? Willa S. Cather [Stout #113]
Will publish "The Valley of the Mills" as is if he can't revise it. Would like to see "Mortmain" again if he can sharpen its point. S. S. McClure, per W. S. C. [Stout #114]
Watching for "The Valley of the Mills" from Mr. Reynolds. Will be glad to give "Mortmain" another reading. Regrets he is taking an ironic tone. Why read and talk at all if one can't be candid? Willa Sibert Cather [Stout #115]
Liked "The Valley of the Mills" enough to buy it, but believes his work can be stronger. Would like to talk with him about some descriptive articles on the Mediterranean. Going to Pittsburgh on Friday [Oct. 12] to stay until November 1. Will be living at no. 60 South Washington Square upon return. Please drop by the office. Willa Sibert Cather [Stout #116]
Envies his getting away and wishes him luck. He seems to think she wants to exploit his work as Witter Bynner might, but as a fellow writer, is simply interested and will give his stories fair consideration. Hopes he brings back literary spoils. Willa Sibert Cather [Stout #117]
S. S. McClure has reread "The Valley of the Mills" and hopes to see more work from him. Please send his address so she won't have to write through Reynolds. Willa Sibert Cather [Stout #118]
Envies his being in Italy. Is working on the material about Eddy, after three men failed with it. It drives out every trace of an imaginative idea. Why doesn't he like [Pierre] Loti—afraid of real imagination? He covers up his own with slang and imitations of Kipling. Or maybe he fears being sentimental. McClure has paid $500 for illustrations for "The Valley of the Mills." Was in Pittsburgh a couple of months ago and saw the Willards. Only music saves her in New York. Please ask Mr. Reynolds to send her his work personally. Willa S. Cather [Stout #125]
Glad to have his letter along saying he has confidence in her. Has started to work. Needs to have the April article to the printer in two weeks. Mr. McKenzie very helpful and a born editor. Willa S. Cather [Stout #126]
Has held up illustrations for the first article. In a rush to get out Harper's Weekly with shortage of staff. Won't lose much time, as still has some Boston material. W. S. C. [Stout #127]
