Has read the tariff articles while at home with a cold and was surprised to find them interesting. Truly important magazine writing.[Tarbell's tariff articles appeared in American Magazine from 1906–1911; in book form 1911.] Willa Cather [Stout #124]
Is trying to find out for Mr. McClure who wrote the article on Whistler published in the September, 1896, McClure's. Hopes he will have that information. Willa Cather [Stout #154]
Hates the bright blue paper she [Cather] is writing on. Stuck in this heat trying to write an article on ballet that she promised McClure's. Reviews are wonderful. Going to Virginia in September. W. [Stout #262]
Swedish cousin has died in Paris. Spent a few days in Washington with her cousin's husband after he returned bringing the body. Is settling back into the apartment. Did about 28,000 words on new novel while in Pittsburgh. Has she seen the article about singers in the December McClure's? Fremstad likes it. Has been invited to Boston to visit Mrs. Fields, but can't go until after Christmas. Wishes she [ Sergeant ] were there to go to the ballet tonight. P.S.: Mrs. Fields's primness about a nude figure on the magazine cover is funny. W. S. C. [Stout #270]
Interested in her new efforts in play production. Looking forward to seeing her piece [probably "Did It Really Happen?"] in Smart Set. What is she going to do with the Spoon River poet in her anthology? [The "anthology" was a series by Akins published from Feb. 19 to Aug. 13, 1915, in Reedy's Mirror, St. Louis. The series was to have been published in book form but was not until 1994, under the title In the Shadow of Parnassus: A Critical Anthology of Contemporary American Poetry, edited by Catherine Parke.] He is beneath comment. P.S.: Sending some poems not in April Twilights. Novel finished and being set in type. W. S. C. [Stout #415]
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]
Is back at home and hopes he can come for tea on a Friday. Would like to discuss his chapter on Henry James in The American Novel [1921] . Willa Cather [Stout #570]
Received a copy of his book [ Nature in American Literature ] from Macmillan. Sailing the 17th and will take it with her. Willa Cather [Stout #677]
Sorry, can't commit anything for the first issue of the Mercury. Being treated for neuritis in right arm and has hardly written a thing all summer. Has three new stories planned. Too beautiful here to stay indoors and write anyway. Willa Cather [Stout #698]
Is attending to Cather's mail while she is at Grand Manan. Is not forwarding letters except from family and close friends, so that she can be free to work. Will show her the letter when she returns. Sarah J. Bloom, Secretary [Stout #940]