French maid has been ill. Has been working on "Ántonia" with one hand and cooking with the other. Signed contract enclosed. Willa Cather [Stout #409]
Used the device of the introduction in My Ántonia much as some Russian and French writers do, to set a tone. Wanted a male character's memory because it was from men that she learned the most interesting things about the women she was remembering. Wanted first person narrative to emphasize emotion rather than plot. Believes she learned to handle a male point of view by writing Mr. McClure's autobiography. Glad he likes the result. It took getting older to write simply and to be guided by memory. Willa Cather [Stout #462]
Enjoying the food, though prices are high. Not shopping except for necessities. Will spend a few weeks with the Hambourgs and go with them to the south of France and to Sorrento. Edith Lewis going to Italy next week. Has not gone on with "Claude" since arriving, but has planned some cuts, so the money she has spent on drinks has not gone for nothing. French wine is really the essence of the culture. Willa Cather [Stout #509]
A huge procession of war orphans marched in a parade today to celebrate America. The stars and stripes flying above public buildings. The French like American soldiers, but not Wilson. Hopes to go to Cantigny next week, though trains still disrupted. Feeling good after the voyage. Almost dreads trip to Naples, with travel so difficult now. Willa [Stout #510]
Please look at some of Mr. Victor Llona's French translation and see if it is really as bad as it seems. Isabelle says hello. Willa [Stout #538]
Enjoyed her letter; opened it when she and Isabelle were having tea and has tacked it up in her studio up under the eaves. Is working on a translation of Ántonia into French that will be published in La Nouvelle revue française. Feels proud of that. P.S.: Has met a woman from Boston whose cousin is married to Ms. Hills's cousin—a very nice person. Willa S. C. [Stout #543]
How nice, that she is in New Mexico! Having to work on botanical details of a French translation of My Ántonia, not a very good one. Probably won't go to Nebraska until September; instead, going to Grand Manan for August. Did she know about Greenslet's broken shoulder? Now that the demand for Ántonia is increasing, Houghton Mifflin is out of stock because of a printers' strike. What impossible people! W. S. C. [Stout #547]
Hopes they had a nice Thanksgiving. Had hers at home. Please tell Margie the French woman, Josephine, is back working for her part-time; she is an artist of housekeeping. Cook their own breakfast and have to carry in the ice to the icebox, which is pretty heavy. Would appreciate a couple of aprons for Christmas. Hasn't heard from Isabelle yet. Sorry to have been so testy this summer. Willie [Stout #563]
Doesn't remember giving her money for ticket to Lincoln. Is sure she owes more of the hotel bill. Has ordered photos from Omaha. Josephine is back for half days; cooks a French dinner every night and will soon have her ailing stomach better. New doctor admires Ántonia but would rather he paid attention to her intestines. Willa [Stout #565]
Has read her thick book [ Rough Hewn ]. Liked the French part best. Family very well done; the shameful mother accurate of a national type but original in fiction. Marise very well done without excess, but Neale would have been better with less said. He's too familiar, whereas the father is strongly felt but still a puzzle. Is planning to visit Dorothy's mother. Willa [Stout #635]
