Went to Maine June 7 and returned home yesterday. Had a wonderful time with Fremstad and then visited Mary Jewett. With Fremstad, was active every minute, fishing, rowing, hiking, and cooking. What a vigorous woman! Thornton Oakley would do good illustrations for a book on Provence. Scribner's would be a good publisher for it. Going to Wyoming soon. Isabelle will probably go to Italy during that time. W. [Stout #284]
Mother has been ill since September 1. Has been keeping house and cooking. Has a dear servant [ Marjorie ] who helps but doesn't cook. Has finally learned to make good pastry. Will go to Arizona in two weeks. Glad to hear she went to Walnut Canyon. Has read her "French Perspectives" and found it very pleasing. Still distressed about poor proofreading in Lark. Maybe they will see each other in New York after Christmas. W. S. C. [Stout #372]
Does not review books. Please congratulate Dr. Leach on the revived Forum. Glad he could get the fine story by Miss Sedgwick. Willa Cather [Stout #740]
Hasn't received Anne Douglas Sedgwick's The Little French Girl, as he promised in letter. Please hold September check until further notice, as she will be there and in Jaffrey. Would he have a pound of caramels sent from Mary Elizabeth's [shop]? Isn't he planning a volume of Miss Guiney's poetry? [Happy Endings: The Collected Lyrics of Louise Imogen Guiney, edited by Greenslet, was published in 1927.] Could be working on it while lounging on the cliffs. Willa Cather [Stout #741]
The two pounds of caramels arrived C.O.D., though she feels sure he paid for it. Has begun Sedgwick's book and likes it so far. W. S. C. [Stout #742]
Was in Boston while he was in Virginia. Enjoyed The Little French Girl, though it is overly long. Glad he got money back from the candy shop. Will go on to New York next week. Hoping to finish the new novel this winter. Ready to receive her September royalty check. Telephone number on Bank Street is Watkins 7736, but not to be given out. Willa Cather [Stout #748]
Received letters and thanks him for his sensitivity. The review [Granville Hicks, "Bright Incidents," Forum, September 1931, vi-vii] she discussed in the letter [see #1842] is the only one that ever hurt her personally. Thought the Forum was a friend even though business perspectives seem to overtake everything. Review will not inspire controversy, though, for a writer must not become defensive in print about her work. Has gotten over the whole thing. The two of them should get together to toast Mr. Hicks, or whatever his name is. Willa Cather
No one can see the sour side of things better than Elsie can. Her letter from Casper details her wonderful trip, but she includes a line saying that she is especially glad to make the visit since Roscoe is leaving soon and she likely won't see him for several years. Where is he going? Alaska? South America? Tahiti? Letters can be sent from Tahiti, as her own correspondence with James Norman Hall proves. Please inform her where he plans to go. Willie.
