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]
Pleased with his success with this last story. Please ask Harper's to let her have the manuscript back to do a little revision. Willa Cather [Stout #371]
Phone number is 7955 Chelsea. Hopes he will visit while in town. First few chapters of Mr. McClure's book [about war] are exciting. Her story in Harper's [prob. "A Gold Slipper," January 1917] has been praised more than it deserves. W. S. C. [Stout #378]
"For Fannie Butcher, who wrote the first discriminating review of my first novel. (In this case my interest in the reviewer has outlasted my interest in the novel, for I don't think much of that book now!) With greetings and good wishes, Willa Sibert Cather [Stout #497]
It was a good idea to make it to Chicago and have the party after all. Such excursions can be helpful. Jack did not come for Christmas, and she and Edith had a quiet day, nursing Edith's sick eye. Had dinner with Isabelle and Jan Hambourg Christmas Eve, and invited Joe Charter [?], a widower, and Sanborn, the New York Globe music critic, for dinner on Christmas night. Ended the night early, owing to Edith's eye. Had a wonderful Friday tea yesterday with about 30 people, including Alfred McClung and many friends from Pittsburgh in town for Christmas. Afterwards bolted to the Biltmore hotel to have dinner with Bostonian friends. Feels tired today, but still went to a concert with the Hambourgs. Had lunch on Wednesday with the pianist Harold Bauer, Mrs. Bauer, and the violinist Kreisler. Isabelle is wonderful at entertaining creative and famous people. Received two gorgeous Russian candelabras from Jan and Isabelle for Christmas, which cast a beautiful glow at tea on the new tea table. Best new things, though, are three terrific paintings of the Mediterranean and Ionian sea by Edith's friend Earl Brewster. The paintings are beautiful so large that framing them is going to be expensive. Brewster's paintings are typically selling for $200 to $500, and these are quite good. He said he they are not a gift but a long term loan. Has published a rather weak story in Harper's Monthly [ "A Gold Slipper" ], but got $450 for it, and is glad for the money: expenses are quite a bit higher than last year. Engough apples for a pie cost 25 cents, beef is 36 cents a pound, and chicken costs 42 cents a pound—$2.10 for a five pound chicken! Probably won't starve on Bank street, though. Willie
Thank you for the cigarettes and handkerchiefs, and thanks to Virginia for the colorful pictures. She put them up by her desk for many days before sharing them with mother. Has a beautiful miniature orange tree with nine fruits on it; please tell Virginia. When she is older, will send her some fragile sea shells Isabelle mailed from Florida. Did he see her paltry story in Harper's ["A Gold Slipper," Harper's Monthly Magazine, 134 (January 1917): 166-174]? British War Supplies is laying off people, and is afraid Jack will lose his job. But then, after all, life should not be too easy when one is young. Maybe the fact that he did well enough there will spur him to strive for more success. Has mailed $100 to mother for her trip to Tucson, and will send another $100 on March 1. Is pleased Virginia enjoys the beads; it's nerve wracking to try to select anything for her to wear: remember that hat! She is quite particular about her fashion choices. Wishes Virginia could come to visit her, and she must do so when she is older. Please send condolences to Elsie Stewart about her mother. Will soon send Roscoe and Meta a book they ought to read, and hopes they send her some sage this spring. Willa.
