Has cancelled the lecture in Omaha, but still hopes to get to Red Cloud by Thanksgiving. Still hopes they can travel from Chicago together. Appreciated her letter. Willa [Stout #639]
Returned from Boston last night [?] for the opening of a friend's play at the Empire [Zoë Akins's The Texas Nightingale]. Leaves Friday [?] for Nebraska to stay through Christmas. Sorry to miss her, but must get ready for the trip. Would like a chance to talk with her about Mr. Seibel's review of One of Ours. P.S.: Do go see The World We Live In. Willa Cather [Stout #646]
Will sit for a portrait in Paris if the people of Omaha want her to. Is being hounded by reporters since the Pulitzer announced. Sends greetings to the Newbranches. Willa Cather [Stout #686]
Has been very busy this summer. Had to choose a painter for the portrait commissioned by the people of Omaha. Expects to be at home for Christmas. Looks forward to telling her about Isabelle's house and friends. Bakst paints in a modern style that may not produce a perfect likeness. Fears people in Omaha won't be pleased. Willie [Stout #692]
Has received check for $1000 to pay Bakst. Work has been slow. Her health has not been good, and she is very tired; going to Aix-les-Bains to rest. Not sure her parents will want to go to Omaha to unveil the portrait. Would prefer this to be quiet. May Bakst exhibit the portrait in Philadelphia and Boston before sending it to Omaha? Will probably sail for the U.S. in late October and is not eager to get to Omaha, where the aggressive Mrs. Shotwell lurks. The questions she wrote to Bakst are entirely too personal and intrusive! Willa Cather [Stout #693]
Is spending a month here getting treatment for neuritis on right arm. Will sail as soon as Bakst finishes portrait, paid for by the city of Omaha. Willa [Stout #701]
Glad to have his confirmation that people in Omaha pay no attention to Mrs. Shotwell. Touched by Harvey Newbranch's column. Glad people of Nebraska are pleased with her article in The Nation. Not sure if she can get painting to Omaha by December 10. Glad to report that A Lost Lady is going into a third printing after only a week. Willa Cather [Stout #702]
Sorry she hadn't understood he expected her to be in Omaha for the unveiling of the portrait. No longer plans to be in Nebraska for Christmas; is working on a new book. Would much rather visit when there is no ceremony going on. Has also declined to give William Vaughn Moody lectures in Chicago. People seem bent on keeping her from writing! Picture will be shipped tomorrow. Willa Cather [Stout #709]
Declines to make public statement about portrait. Willa Cather [Stout #713]
Has moved out of her apartment and put everything in storage. Neighborhood ruined by subway construction. What does she think of Archbishop? Review in New York World calls it weak as a novel. What is a novel? This is more like a legend. No women but the Virgin Mary. Took joy in doing it. She and Grant Overton were the only two reviewers who liked My Ántonia, and this is even less like a conventional novel. A narrative; something like a folk song. Was to have sailed on the Berengaria yesterday, but cancelled because of her father's illness. Willa Cather [Stout #892]
