Thanks for launching her with S. S. McClure. Had a telegram from him and has been to New York to see him. Feeling elated, as if her life is now more valuable than before. McClure to run her stories in the magazine, then publish as a book. Will place for her any he does not use. At the McClure house met wife of Robert Louis Stevenson, who had read the stories. Greatly appreciates his help. Other plans afoot. P.S.: Doesn't seem to be able to reach Sarah Harris. Willa S. Cather [Stout #84]
Very pleased that she likes the story. Doesn't want a picture of herself published unless she gets a good one this summer at the cliff dwellings. Will get one taken by a photographer if she must, but it will only be disillusioning to the public. Willa S. Cather [Stout #307]
Glad to have eliminated the governorship for Dr. Archie. Has made a suggestion about the jacket to Miss Van Tuyll. Also, has returned thirty-three pages of proof. It's pretty rough. Willa S. Cather [Stout #308]
Has just read her essay on Provence in Century. Is busy with proofs. Jack is off in Maine. A musical critic is reading galleys and is enthusiastic, especially about the singing lessons. Would have felt bad if those hadn't been right! Has she seen Henry James's article about Mrs. Fields in the June Atlantic? Isn't she disappointed in Owen Wister's novel? [Pentecost of Calamity, 1915] P.S.: Loves her khaki outfit for the cliff dwellings— reminds her of Kurt's outfit in Fidelio [ Beethoven ]. Willa [Stout #310]
The sample of heavy lettering is what she had in mind, but the accent over the initial "A" needs to be more distinct. Willa Cather [Stout #401]
Has been noticing his writing on authors in their own styles, and likes what he did with her. Believes her new novel will be her best yet, but he will still probably think it formless. He can return her copy of The Troll Garden when she gets back to New York. Willa Cather [Stout #549]
Is back at home and hopes he can come for tea on a Friday. Would like to discuss his chapter on Henry James in The American Novel [1921] . Willa Cather [Stout #570]
Thanks for the book, which was waiting when she returned from sanitorium. Glad he likes Ántonia, but believes new book is better. Three years of hard work. Willa Cather [Stout #594]
Hurrying to leave for Nebraska but will answer briefly. Georgine Milmine, now Mrs. Benjamin Wells, of Aubrey, N.Y., gathered material on Mrs. Eddy. McClure bought the material, subsequently lost (along with a first edition of Science and Health) when the magazine was sold. Milmine couldn't do the writing, and after sampling short segments of it done by several other people he chose her [Cather]. This was shortly after she came to New York. Carefully checked the material and believes it is all accurate except the first chapter, written by Burton Hendrick, now with Doubleday. His resentment at being removed from the project may be part of the reason Doubleday does not bring it back into print. Please keep confidential. Willa Cather [Stout #649]
Glad to be included in their list of best novels. Willa Cather [Stout #817]
