Please send Jenny by Sigrid Undset. Willa Cather [Stout #1051]
Brought her letter along to California, where mother has been in sanitarium almost three years. Has been with her a lot of the time and has lost track of friends. Book just finished helped her hold together. Zoë has been a good friend. Please send a collection of selected poems. New poets don't let emotion blossom in their poems. Willa Cather [Stout #1052]
Did not forget their commencement. Has shown their pictures to friends in Pasadena and New York as examples of the fine Bohemian boys in Nebraska. Has had a commencement of her own—honorary degree at Princeton. Met the Lindberghs. Sorry not to stop when she came through, but will be there before another year goes by. Willa Cather [Stout #1058]
Was pleased by his letter about Shadows on the Rock. Found it difficult to get a balanced view of the early historical figures of Quebec. Has long admired the quality of loyalty to a tradition and religion that she found there. Believes the France of two hundred years ago was a nobler place than the France or the United States of the present. Tried to be as accurate as possible, though did make some deliberate changes, such as the placement of the King's warehouse at that time. Appreciates his interest. P.S.: Some serious errors in Catholic observance in the first draft were corrected by Mrs. Garret McEnerny, of San Francisco. Willa Cather [Stout #1059]
Hoped to see him, but understands he is away. Leaving for Canada in a few days. He understood what she was doing in the new book quite precisely. Interesting that he liked Bishop Laval best, as she does also, for his loyalty to French ways. Left it up to Knopf to decide about Book-of-the-Month Club, but he would not have allowed it if she had opposed. Wants to know when Mrs. Canby's book of verse is published. Since in California so much with her mother, loses touch with things in New York. Willa Cather [Stout #1060]
Glad she likes the new book; many do not. The word "shadows" in the title should have given them some indication of the intent. Has enjoyed summer at Grand Manan. Will leave toward the end of September and go to California to see her mother. Isabelle and Jan have been to Brussels. Has lost track of Ethel Litchfield. Willa Cather [Stout #1070]
Still amazed by her wonderful news. Sorry she won't be in California this year to see her new home. How did all this come about? What nerve she has always had—and now the nerve to do this! But if marriage can ever be made to work, it will be Zoë who can do it. Feels happy just thinking about what a good friend she is and how happy her life is going to be. Willa [Stout #1103]
Appreciates receiving his radio talk. Glad he likes "Old Mrs. Harris," which she believes better achieved than most of her works. Glad to hear about the Seibels' grandchild. Would enjoy corresponding with him again if he won't publish her letters. Sorry to have become so untrusting. P.S.: Saw May Willard in San Francisco last year. Would like to see anything he has written about Thomas Mann, especially The Magic Mountain. Willa Cather [Stout #1120]
Hopes he has received a copy of her new book [Obscure Destinies, pub. August 1932] and agrees that "Old Mrs. Harris" rings true, more true than the book about Quebec last year. Books drawn from early memories are always truest. Even so, likes to try different things. Being true is her greatest wish. No, is not becoming a Catholic, though greatly admires Catholic missionaries. Enclosing her letter to Gov. Cross ["On Shadows on the Rock," Saturday Review of Literature, Oct. 17, 1931]. Willa Cather [Stout #1123]
Shocked to hear of Hugo's death. At least they had a little time. After one is forty-five death seems to rain down, and after fifty it becomes a storm. Should let her daily routine carry her along, and avoid alcohol for now. Would like to come to California to be with her, but has an eye infection. Also, has just signed a lease on an apartment—570 Park Avenue. Hang on, and time will restore her. Willa [Stout #1132]
