Why did Mariel buy the disreputable Sappho? Kit and Mr. Myres flirting. Is feeling lonely but takes refuge in French history, George Eliot, and long horseback rides. Was at Mrs. Garber's on Sunday. Kit loaned her copy of Sappho to a church woman—how depraved! Is doing vivisection on frogs. Mariel could set up lab at newspaper office. Willa Cather [Stout #4]
Sorry for previous letter. Ironic to be called bohemian, considering present hardworking life. Has been on a picnic to Erie and an excursion on the river; returning by moonlight, admired the glow of the steel furnaces and was serenaded by a Princeton boy. Recited college composition on Carlyle at an afternoon tea and was at once welcomed into the social set. Axtells are kind but not warm; resemble the Pounds. Willa [Stout #29]
Has received Erna's picture. Is impressed that Mr. Seibel has acquired a complete set of Hugo, but they will envy her "Thistle" Stevenson. Has not yet retrieved manuscripts from Axtell and Orr. Beware of Christians! But is attending church with her family. Leaving on hunting trip today. Has a cold. Willa Cather [Stout #41]
Has taken pictures to be developed, shopped with Miss [Evelyn] Osborne for underclothes, and overeaten on Mme Sibut's excellent fish. Please scold the laundress who failed to return a set of underwear. Willa [Stout #75]
Will have "The Case of the Reporter" set in type soon and send proofs to Danzig. Glad he likes the article on the German emperor. Can meet him at the office between four and five on Friday [July 1]. Would be good to talk things over before he sails. Willa Sibert Cather [Stout #180]
Poem is beautiful but too long for McClure's. A terrible summer in New York. Leaving at the end of September for a six-month vacation to set herself straight. Willa Sibert Cather [Stout #202]
Spent two weeks in New York getting the winter's work set. Promised the magazine two stories before Christmas. Wants to lengthen the Swedish story and merge it with the other to make a two-part pastoral. British edition of Alexander looks much better than the American. Has been reading Balzac and the disgusting Idiot by Dostoevsky. Thought the first two parts of Creative Evolution [ Bergson ] were splendid. Everyone seems to be celebrating "The Bohemian Girl" except a reader who thought it immoral. W. S. C. [Stout #242]
Please have foreign words set in italics. Copyeditor didn't in O Pioneers!. Also names of operatic roles. Hopes he has a proofreader who is fluent in Spanish and someone who can check the German used in the music lessons. Willa S. Cather [Stout #304]
Sending H. L. Mencken's article [in Smart Set January 1916?]. Has he seen Hugh Walpole's article in Bookman? Willa Sibert Cather [Stout #348]
The Song of the Lark was fun to write, but shows carelessness. Cut out several chapters set in Germany to keep it focused on the Moonstone perspective. They would have spoiled the unity. A few negative reviewers have wished it were a tragedy rather than a success story. The title is a weakness, it's true. Hasn't been up to starting a new book this winter, with Judge McClung's death, the closing of the house, and prospect of Isabelle's marriage [April 3, 1916]. Doesn't get along well with Jan Hambourg. Loss of Isabelle is a severe one. Also, Annie Fields died last winter. So much misery in the world in general, with the war. Wishes they could have a long talk. Willa [Stout #351]
