Is grieving for Margie and for Mrs. Otis Skinner, who lived only a few blocks away. Didn't see her very often and now regrets not making the effort these last few weeks. Enclosing a birthday gift a week late. Mary Virginia's husband has had a sinus operation and been very ill. Their apartment was burglarized, but Mary Virginia never complains. Finds her such a cheering presence. Willie [Stout #1351]
Sorry not to have seen her while she was in New York. Was in Washington when she arrived, and then Mary Virginia's husband hospitalized with pneumonia. Then had to do all her work on corrections and design elements for Houghton Mifflin subscription edition on such a tight schedule she could not see anyone except Mary Virginia until finished. Alfred Knopf in Europe, so couldn't be there to help. Please send Stephen's address at Columbia; hopes to see him. Willa Cather [Stout #1356]
Extends sympathy for painful sore. Remembers the infected place on back of her head when she was working on The Song of the Lark. Kept putting off going to the hospital; took codeine for the pain and kept writing; was finally put into the hospital after she went into delirium. Didn't write sooner because uncle was ill in Maryland [probably James Howard Gore, Cather's cousin who was more than twenty years older than her], and niece has been distraught with husband's pneumonia. In addition, has been preparing for a subscription edition from Houghton Mifflin. Willa Cather [Stout #1379]
Enclosing a letter from Mary Virginia describing her move to Chattanooga. When the only orthopedic surgeon in the city was called away to the Army, the hospital wrote to the orthopedic hospital in New York and they recommended Richard Mellen. Going south seems like regressing to a more primitive place, but physicians have assured her it is a good move. Will miss her dreadfully; often a cheering presence when feeling down. Will miss her help with shopping and scouting out sales. Please share this with Carrie and Mary. Willie [Stout #1575]
Very happy to receive her letter. Dr. Ober's brace cured the damaged tendon in her right thumb, after ten months of having no use of it. Even slept in the brace. Likes her "Hurricane" picture a great deal. Misses niece Mary Virginia, with her husband at an Army camp in Colorado, but enjoys her nice letters. She and Edith Lewis have no maid at present, so she spends most of her working time in the kitchen. Willa Cather [Stout #1607]
Sorry not to have written in so long. The world is all in distress, everyone's lives disrupted. All the young people in her family caught up in the war. Mary Virginia and husband, Dick Mellen, at Camp Carson in Colorado, and her brother at a camp in Arizona, one of the least attractive spots in the state. Enjoyed having Mary Virginia in town for a visit recently. Another niece's husband is commander of an aircraft carrier in the Pacific. Everyone lives in suspense. Will paste their Christmas card with picture of Beacon Street into Annie Fields's Memories of a Hostess. Doesn't understand why Boston has messed up the area around Trinity Church. Spent last summer in Maine; very comfortable in spite of poor food. Wishing them a happy new year. Willa Cather. P.S.: Has sprained right hand again and is back in Dr. Ober's brace. [Stout #1657]
Writes many letters to soldiers as a result of the Armed Forces Editions, but has meant to write to her for some time. Wonders if her son Richard is in the Army. Hasn't been very strong since the gall bladder operation. Often thinks how kind she was to her [Cather's] parents. Willa Cather [Stout #1711]
Got the embroidered pillow cases Elsie sent for Christmas and will use them herself right away. Doesn't want to regret on death bed that all the best things were saved, only to be used by strangers. Hopes Elsie enjoyed the beads Cather sent. Originally bought them for herself, but then sent them to Elsie after Edith gave her some very similar beads on her birthday. Christmas Day was awful. Spent the day unpacking books sent to new apartment [on 5 Bank Street] from Pittsburgh, then ate an early dinner at Guffanti's before calling it a day. Both going to Boston for New Year's, Edith to see family and she to see Mrs. Fields and Mrs. Deland. Will be tiring, as she will have to take advantage of so many enjoyable opportunities. Intends to be devoted to new novel when she returns. Edith loved Elsie's present and will write soon. On Christmas Eve heard Fremstad sing Isolde [in Richard Wagner's Tristan and Isolde]. Great opera is only thing that can recall childhood feelings of Christmas. Fremstad was wonderful. Got home late, but not as late as Fremstad, who got in at two a.m. and found the miniature orange tree Cather had sent, and immediately wrote a thank-you note. Fremstad is hard to please but Cather thought the orange tree would be perfect when she was fresh from singing Isolde, as it is otherworldly and thus in keeping with the role. Like other imaginative people, Fremstad responds instinctively. Heard she took the tree into her bedroom that night. Loved the photographs of Virginia, as did Isabelle. Would Elsie like an English edition of Alexander's Bridge? Apartment not large enough for three, but Elsie could be there often if she came to New York for a while. PS: Thank Roscoe and Virginia for nice gifts. Willie
Sprained a tendon in her left wrist weeks ago, it got inflamed, and now is forced to wear a splint. Is not supposed to write, because of overload on right hand, so hasn't corresponded recently. The heat therapy takes hours each day, and every daily process takes more time and effort. Does not attempt to work. Thankfully, Yehudi and his family have kept her company; the pleasant children always distract her. Menuhin children are divine. Have just finished reading Richard II together. Supposes she would not have understood the quality of Yehudi's character if she had not had her injury, so there is a silver lining after all! Willie
Is very concerned about mother's cold and thinks she should go to Yuma if it does not improve. Is pleased mother has met nice people at the boarding house; often kind but unfamiliar people are more relaxing companions than family and friends, as one tends to put on a better face for them. Is in bed for a few days with visiting "friend." Dr. Van Etten, to whom she was referred by Dr. Wiener, is helpful, and thinks he might be able to make her monthly bout less difficult over time and, by reducing loss of blood, improve her general health. Is very distraught by the war news, and has written father in detail about it. Bought a black, beaded silk bag for Auntie Sister for $1 at Wannamaker's when there to purchase curtains. Thinks Auntie will think it very classy. Monthly expenses are $50 higher this year; have [she and Edith Lewis] given up opera and most concerts (but do often get free theater tickets). Mrs. Deland solicited a $10 donation for Belgium; had to give it since Deland kept her for three weeks after the Boston operation. Jack is working in Pittsburgh now, but the job isn't likely to last long. He seems very cocky of late, so wrote him a diatribe warning him not to look silly in front of Pittsburgh friends. He'll probably soon get over the boastful mood and be a humble boy again. Will soon mail her the month's magazines and plans to send a Valentine's Day card to West Virginia and a book to Mrs. Letson. Since it is Friday, has to meet guests for tea, but hopes few will arrive today. Likes to use the lunch cloth mother gave her and Isabelle's silver every Friday. Willie
