Went to Maine June 7 and returned home yesterday. Had a wonderful time with Fremstad and then visited Mary Jewett. With Fremstad, was active every minute, fishing, rowing, hiking, and cooking. What a vigorous woman! Thornton Oakley would do good illustrations for a book on Provence. Scribner's would be a good publisher for it. Going to Wyoming soon. Isabelle will probably go to Italy during that time. W. [Stout #284]
Back on old paths, a big, beautiful country, all golden-brown. W. S. C. [Stout #286]
Will be in Red Cloud for a month starting September 10. Going to Wyoming first. Is Heinemann bringing out the book in England? P.S.: What is the publication date? W. S. C. Willa Cather [Stout #321]
Good work on the publicity booklet and poster. Thanks for the advance copy. Likes the cover, jacket, and type. Has excellent photos of Mesa Verde provided by the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad, also of Taos and the pueblos near Santa Fe. Would he still like to have a book about the Southwest? Might be able to travel for free on Santa Fe next summer to gather additional material. Unfortunately, has gained six pounds while climbing and riding. Edith lost weight. W. S. C. [Stout #322]
Came up to Wyoming from New Mexico two weeks ago. Hard to advise her where to go in the West. Taos probably the best. Will be off to Red Cloud in about two weeks. Hasn't done any writing. Has sold the Nordica story to McClure's for a good price. W. [Stout #363]
Isabelle's marriage still hard to accept, but the world looks brighter now. Is enjoying being with Roscoe and his wife in the mountains. Glad that Elsie is working well on her book. Will be in Red Cloud by the end of August. Recommends she go to Taos, though there is a good dude ranch near here in Wyoming. [Stout #364]
Has been in the Wind River Mountains in Wyoming. Has he seen Alice Meynell's review in the Manchester Guardian? Will have another book ready by the end of the year, probable title "The Blue Mesa." The book on the Southwest to come after that. Is shutting last year behind her. Glad to receive his check. W. S. C. [Stout #365]
Just reached Red Cloud after a summer in New Mexico and Wyoming. Enjoyed Roscoe and his family, especially the twins. Made a talk about The Bent Twig [Canfield Fisher's novel, 1915] to a bridge club. Interesting that they both used the same kind of treatment for such different material. Sympathizes with the character who fled moral restrictions. The mother reminds her of a stalwart woman who came to visit Fremstad when she was in Maine—such wisdom. They have different groups of readers in Lincoln. Dorothy's think Cather immoral, and her own think Dorothy boring. All of Dorothy's readers want to believe Thea didn't live with Fred out of wedlock. Willa [Stout #366]
Can't suggest anything new to read. Most new books disappointing. Elsie might try Mary Austin's The Ford. Came to Nebraska to receive an honorary doctorate. Edith Abbott, Jane Addams's assistant, awarded honorary degree at the same time, the first given by the University of Nebraska to women. Then more than a week of visiting, until tea parties became repetitious and tiresome. Nebraska is in a heat wave plus burning with patriotism. Is going to Wyoming soon. W. S. C. [Stout #387]
Came west to receive an honorary degree from the University of Nebraska. Now at home. Will go on to Wyoming soon, or may join Isabelle in New Hampshire. Nebraskans are very pro-war. Willa S. C. [Stout #388]