Story enclosed ["The Willing Muse," Century August 1907], with all grammatical errors found (she hopes) and corrected. Willa Sibert Cather [Stout #128]
Will be glad to write some articles [for the Century] after December 1. Will send a short story in a few days. Willa Sibert Cather [Stout #206]
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]
Glad to accept contract for Continental rights of the next book. Will certainly accept reduced royalties on O Pioneers! in a soldiers' edition. Century will start "Office Wives" series in January and wants the book rights. Trusts Houghton Mifflin will not mind. Wants to discuss the physical design of the novel when he comes to town. Will invite Benda to dinner and ask him about doing head and tail pieces. Otherwise, would prefer no illustrations. Has tried drawing her own. Willa Cather [Stout #394]
Has only one story available [probably "Her Boss," Smart Set October 1919], and it has been declined by Century. He may have it for $100 if he wants it. Looking forward to seeing his book on the American language when she gets back to New York. Interesting that Conrad himself thinks the new book is weak. Willa Cather [Stout #467]
Will arrive at Jaffrey, N.H., August 1. Could he drive out sometime the latter half of the month? Needs a new tent like the one she used to write in. Please have a catalog sent to her at the Shattuck Inn in Jaffrey. Hopes to get as far as she can on the novel before stopping to do some stories she has promised. Hopes they will be better than the one in the current Century [ "Scandal" ]. Only reason she does short stories is for the income. Willa Cather [Stout #470]
Going straight to New York on Monday to avoid the crowds. Seeing people from the Century on Tuesday. Got some good work done while at Jaffrey. When would he need the manuscript for spring publication? W. S. C. [Stout #479]
Telephone company says that only new mothers can get a phone. That would be funny! Please send books she can send to William Allen White in Kansas. Nice he wants them. Century has made an offer she wants to discuss with him. P.S.: Nice of Mrs. Austin to go to the trouble [to write an article about her]. W. S. C. [Stout #484]
Everyone is admiring the beautiful tortoise-shell fan. Is pleased with the Century offer [to serialize A Lost Lady in April, May, and June]. Miss Lewis will have the manuscript ready for them to pick up so they can get it to the printer in time for her to read the book proofs before leaving for Europe on April 1. Willa Cather [Stout #660]
Accepts Century offer. [Stout #661]
