Is pleased to see his success. Looking forward to his article on Gilbert White. Always expected him to write well, if he could get beyond youthful egoism. Since they have no book publishing now, can't consider his book of nature essays. Suggests Doubleday Page, which bought them out, or Houghton Mifflin. Ferris Greenslet there an old friend. For the magazine, more interested in content and a style more scientific than literary, designed to convey information. P.S.: Has been running the magazine alone past six months, as Mr. McClure has been ill. Will be going abroad this winter. Willa Sibert Cather [Stout #182]
Is sending most of the novel. About 20,000 words yet to write. Believes it is very good. Feels envious of Doubleday's sales methods. Houghton Mifflin ought to push this book more than they did O Pioneers! Parts of the story are drawn from her early years, including the death of the railroad man, which happened when she was about thirteen. Story is full of the West. Has hit it with this one! Willa Cather [Stout #295]
For three days has been on the verge of sailing for Bergen, then to Germany to interview German leaders. Since S. S. McClure was going, there had to be someone else, so Isabelle was going. All off when Judge McClung decided he didn't want her to take the risk. Will get back onto the page proofs. It was a more appealing project financially than the novel will be. Would have needed to be tactful in order to be accurate without being or at least seeming pro-German. Willa Cather [Stout #315]
Was about to sail for Germany when Judge McClung decided Isabelle must not go. Will start for Durango August 6. Proofs are finished. Even the page proofs needed a lot of correction. Loves North of Boston [Frost], so bare and strong. Knowing real poetry is being written enables her to tolerate even the likes of Witter Bynner. W. S. C. [Stout #317]
Isabelle's marriage still hard to accept, but the world looks brighter now. Is enjoying being with Roscoe and his wife in the mountains. Glad that Elsie is working well on her book. Will be in Red Cloud by the end of August. Recommends she go to Taos, though there is a good dude ranch near here in Wyoming. [Stout #364]
Sending two Benda drawings with size marked on the margins. Should be full page with wide margins, rather than tail-pieces. Print small on spacious page, all on recto, to give the effect of old wood cuts. Please send proofs of drawings when ready, as a guide to her and Benda in planning the rest. Willa S. Cather [Stout #402]
Introduction will be nearly the last to be written. Will send back the dummy Miss Bishop left with her tomorrow. Looks good. Please remove the middle initial from her name on the title page. P.S.: Would be glad to have Miss Bishop again soon. W. S. C. [Stout #407]
Please see that the middle initial is cut out of name on title page. Please set illustrations a little lower on the page to give an effect of spaciousness overhead. Willa Cather [Stout #408]
Has received proofs but is puzzled that there are no blank pages for the cuts. Wants them on same paper as text. Needs to see how they are set on the page. P.S.: Should she be writing to someone else about these production matters? W. S. C. [Stout #423]
Thanks for the suggestion on negotiating with Mr. Davison. Will send page proofs when they come. Willa [Stout #579]
