It's cold and wet. Has a head cold, but enjoys Paris anyway. Willa Cather [Stout #508]
Weather has been cold since she got back, but once she got over the flu has been going to concerts and operas. Sees Virginia about once a week. Despairing about the Lindberghs' baby! Police don't seem to be doing anything, and no one respects their privacy. When her child arrives, don't smother him with motherly doting. That ruins children. Willa Cather [Stout #1102]
Please write and tell her all about the baby. Lindberghs' ordeal only seems to get worse. What disgusting deception of them! Has been enjoying their quiet cabin and the cool, foggy weather. [signature illegible] [Stout #1114]
Is writing to let her know about Menuhin broadcast on March 29, but has wanted to write for some time. Doesn't take very seriously the authorial ambitions of so many young people. What they really want is the glamour they associate with being a writer or being in the movies or some other publicized activity. It's a fad. Likes Mary Virginia's husband. What did she name the little girl? Willa Cather Signed by S. J. Bloom [Stout #1307]
Sorry to hear of Bernard's death [Nell's husband and Helen's father]. He was so helpful to her parents. Knows from experience that they will never stop missing him. Willa Cather [Stout #1461]
Her Christmas card was a reminder to write. Missed her three years ago when in New York at Christmas; was in hospital with damaged right hand. Then Roscoe had heart attack, and went to California to be with him. So time passed. Hopes to go to Red Cloud before long, when fully recovered from surgery. Willa Cather [Stout #1614]
Greatly appreciates pudding she sent, which conveys real friendship. Has had a difficult year. Three old friends in Pittsburgh died, and has not heard from Carrie in a long time. Must have hurt her feelings or offended her in some way. Really did mean to go to Red Cloud in the fall, but coming back from Maine to find no household help was daunting. Didn't get anyone until November 1, and then had problems. Mary Virginia's visit helped, but only because she kept her distance, stayed at a hotel and only dropped by for brief visits. Sad, but any kind of pleasure or emotional excitement is exhausting. Nerves seem messed up since the operation. Would be impossible to go to Red Cloud, where there would be such emotional strain, both happy and troubling, not to mention scoffers like Helen Mac. Afraid she would cry all the time. Elsie has made things hard, too. [sentence blacked out] No use saying any more about that. All together, things have been difficult. Has received a nice letter from Mary, who says there are two sides to every story, which is true. Carrie seems to have given up on her. Wishing her a happy winter in Mexico and hopes she will come to New York next spring. Then she can see for herself how things are. Willie [Stout #1654]
Has kept hoping to write a letter by hand, but has been in brace since December 16. Is afraid of losing the story she was enjoying working on. Cries every time she reads her letter. In the early days, when making her living in newspaper work or teaching and sending money to family, wrote for the joy of it. Over the years has managed to recapture many happy memories by writing. The world has been good to her, but Red Cloud has not. Hard to believe Helen McNeny would lecture on Granville Hicks, who built his career attacking her, in the Auld Library! Naturally, this delights people in Red Cloud who like to spend their time figuring out where she got everything in her books. Truth is, most of the time doesn't know— they just came to her, without her even realizing she wasn't making them up. Remembers how angry Mrs. Fred Garber was about A Lost Lady; she told Douglass she ought to have sued. Never meant to write about Mrs. Garber, but in the shock of learning of her death the story came to her. Wrote an honest recording of feelings she evoked. Mustn't show this letter to the likes of Helen Mac! Willie [Stout #1689]
Sorry to hear about her mastoid operation. Two of her friends suffered serious injuries during the Christmas season. Nell has recovered faster than most of them. Would like to have another visit in Red Cloud. A great deal has happened since she was there. Willa Cather [Stout #1762]
Having a pleasant winter. Going to hear Don Giovanni tomorrow night. W. S. C. [Stout #1763]
