Interested in her new efforts in play production. Looking forward to seeing her piece [probably "Did It Really Happen?"] in Smart Set. What is she going to do with the Spoon River poet in her anthology? [The "anthology" was a series by Akins published from Feb. 19 to Aug. 13, 1915, in Reedy's Mirror, St. Louis. The series was to have been published in book form but was not until 1994, under the title In the Shadow of Parnassus: A Critical Anthology of Contemporary American Poetry, edited by Catherine Parke.] He is beneath comment. P.S.: Sending some poems not in April Twilights. Novel finished and being set in type. W. S. C. [Stout #415]
Glad he likes "Grandmither." Seldom writes verse. Unfortunately, the poems Monroe included in her noted anthology [The New Poetry, 1917] were garbled. Sorry to have been without a telephone, so missed hearing from him when he was in town. Willa Cather [Stout #450]
Is pleased to have the book by Father Saljointi [?] and appreciates his bothering to send it. He and the staff at the Denver Library were most kind. Willa Cather [Stout #793]
Appreciates the book he and Mr. Howlett sent. Hopes to see him at the Denver Library again next summer. Leaves for New York tomorrow. Willa Cather [Stout #794]
Appreciates receiving the bibliography about cliff dwellers done by Miss Gerber and has enjoyed seeing her in New York. Willa Cather [Stout #821]
Anne Douglas Sedgwick has sent a note written by him praising My Mortal Enemy. Appreciates his favor. Most of her books made out of old memories from which the extraneous has dropped away. Now reading proofs of a book that gave her joy to write, Death Comes for the Archbishop. Willa Cather [Stout #883]
Please convey greetings to Bishop and Mrs. George Beecher on the occasion of the twenty-fifth anniversary of his consecration as bishop. Wishes she could be there on November 30. He has affected the lives of many people. [Stout #1277]
The debate over Joseph Conrad is endless. Prefers a more direct, unadorned sentence style. Few writers can give themselves up to baroque emotionalism and succeed. Turgenev could. Conrad becomes artificial or decadent. Listened to the king's abdication speech on the radio [Edward VIII abdicated on December 11, 1936] and found it plausible and distinguished. An example of rhetorical control. What does he think of the people close to the king? [letter breaks off] [Stout #1350]
Is not writing many letters but devoting time to work. At tea time, often thinks of Lascar [his book-in-progress]. Looks forward to reading a book about that place [ Marseilles ]. Conrad gives a glimpse of it in The Arrow of Gold before the book goes off in other directions. How is he? and where is he? P.S.: Will probably leave for the Canadian Rockies about July 15. W. S. C. [Stout #1367]
Sent him a letter at Aix-les-Bains, but he may not receive it, so sending this to his home address. Please send an advance copy of his book and she will take it up with Knopf. Hand is better. Is enjoying the weather. Geologists tell her the rock that makes up their island is thirty-six million years old but has not been above water all that time. Lovely spruce trees keep it cool and shady. W. S. C. [Stout #1372]
