Thinking of her on this day of peace. For the first time in all history the sun rose on a world without monarchies. A fulfillment of Ralph Waldo Emerson's prediction that God would one day say He was tired of kings. Wishes Grosvenor had lived to see it, but he is now God's soldier, as the line in Macbeth says. The old is gone for good. Now more than ever the flag belongs in churches. Willie [Stout #440]
Sending this note to Grandmother to keep for her. Recently a guest brought a marionette that walked in beside him and was so funny. Wanted a cigarette and fell down and sobbed when she said he was too young to smoke. Kissed her hand on the way out. Few real men are so charming. Has been going to operas with Zoë Akins. On Valentine's Day the apartment looked like a florist's shop. Aunt Willie [Stout #498]
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]
Probably will have only one day in Lincoln after speaking in Omaha, then on to Chicago. Has enjoyed being at home, where old friends are so supportive. Willa Cather [Stout #555]
Appreciates his comments on the book in Issues of To-Day [?]. Would like to send a copy to Isabelle McClung. Glad he perceived her effort to present Claude equitably. Willa Cather [Stout #628]
"My love and greetings to the old friends of my own home town who are remembering me today. I think they know I would rather have their friendship than any other reward. When I was a child I loved my own town more than most children do, but I could not show it. I used to hope that some day I could make my town pleased with me. If I have succeeded it makes me very happy." Willa Cather [Stout #717]
Between a friend's illness and Josephine's, is driven to distraction, but has started the introduction and will send it to Miss Jewett to see if she accepts. Burton Rascoe caused a lot of mischief. Wants to place "The Queen's Twin" between "A Dunnet Shepherdess" and "William's Wedding." Enclosing a list of stories for second volume. List: (1) "A White Heron" (2) "The Flight of Betsey Lane" (3) "The Dunham Ladies" (4) "Going to Shrewsbury" (5) "The Only Rose" (6) "Miss Tempy's Watchers" (7) "Martha's Lady" (8) "The Guests of Mrs. Timms" (9) "The Town Poor" (10) "The Hiltons' Holiday" (or "Decoration Day"?) (11) "Aunt Cynthia Dallet" Willa Cather [Stout #729]
Please don't put the Fairchild sonnet as a dedication. It's third-rate and trite. Reluctant to include "Decoration Day" unless Mary Jewett is determined. Be sure to keep "The Hiltons' Holiday," which Jewett believed in (though she thought "Decoration Day" had not aged well). Will withdraw preface if he uses the sonnet. Willa Cather [Stout #732]
Will reach Chicago the afternoon of June 17 after receiving honorary degree at the University of Michigan the previous day. Would like to spend the night with her. Willie [Stout #735]
Has been thinking about her; hopes she will drop everything and get away to England. Mustn't get weighed down by routine, but leave the day-to-day chores in the hands of others and get away while she can, before she is utterly exhausted. Please reply she has bought her ticket. W. S. C. [Stout #736]
