Has been there four weeks; meant to write sooner. She and Isabelle like the Sibuts, at whose pension they are staying. Disagree as to whether they like Mlle Céline [Sibut]. Dorothy spent three weeks with them in London and accompanied them to Paris but now has gone back to Scotland. Went to Barbizon with a school friend of Dorothy's. Will soon leave for a walking tour of Provence and the Mediterranean coast. Enjoyed a walking tour to the Oise Valley. Willa [Stout #76]
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]
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 he is coming. Has enjoyed the rainy weather and is sleeping well. Willa Cather [Stout #205]
Will be glad to write some articles [for the Century] after December 1. Will send a short story in a few days. Willa Sibert Cather [Stout #206]
Glad Miss McClung was able to clear up misunderstanding caused by her [Cather's] earlier letter. Willa Cather [Stout #207]
So glad to get his two letters. Wishes he could have stayed longer. Is working on a story about the length of the bridge-builder one. So good to be writing again. Not even thinking about magazine work. Willa Cather [Stout #208]