Spoke at Bryn Mawr on Thursday evening. [Error for Tuesday, January 18? College newspaper printed a report on her talk on January 19.] Enjoyed it, but has subsequently had a lumbago attack. Is in bed today and will probably miss the American Society of Civil Engineering dinner on Wednesday. Was invited by the President of the Great Northern Railroad and has looked forward to meeting men who would be attending. W. S. C. [Stout #870]
What she says of life in Portage is very appealing. Has been living in hotels since no. 5 Bank Street was demolished. Willa Cather [Stout #949]
Glad to get her letter and to hear that she would like them to be neighbors in Portage. Since mother's stroke, has practically lived on trains. Will have to go back west after a few more weeks. So a winter of quiet work in Wisconsin is impossible. Sorry to hear of her father's death. A fast death is a blessing. Is feeling low, but her letter helped. When in New York will be at the Grosvenor. Willa Cather [Stout #982]
Won't be able to get to Portage; must go to Pasadena soon after Christmas. Keeps wanting to quote Kent in King Lear: "Fortune, turn thy wheel." Read Gale's book with grim humor. Impossible to live in isolation but impossible to avoid harming others if one isn't isolated. Has been wanting to talk with her about a particular matter. Will she be in New York before Christmas? [Stout #991]
Sorry to have missed her when she was in town. Must have been at the dentist when she phoned. Can only say again what Kent said in Lear. Christmas shopping for old German and Bohemian friends on Nebraska farms. Would feel guilty if she skipped them and they died before next Christmas. Willa S. C. [Stout #994]
Not fair of him to have used her praise of Laughing Boy in an ad. Has steadfastly refused to give commendations of books even by old friends, and now he has publicized what she said in private without authorization. Please send a copy of new edition of Ántonia so she can mark some corrections for the English edition. Since she will be leaving about the 20th, could he send March royalty check early? Willa Cather [Stout #1003]
Mother had a laugh from the picture of Mark Twain dinner. Seems a little better than last year, but still terrible condition. Sister away for a little rest. English nurse has been caring for her for a year and is very good. Has a cottage [at Las Encinas Sanitarium] of her own and is comfortable physically, but life looks bleak. Willa [Stout #1008]
Many thanks for insightful review. First reviewer to understand how Shadows differs from Archbishop. Title indicates mood—how a particular culture has endured while individual lives have passed over it. Thinks of the spirit of the place more as a song than a legend. Life of an ordinary household more interesting to her than exciting things like Indian wars. Salad dressing the true beginning of a society. Hard for an American to capture the sense of that culture, but enjoyed trying. Wishes American writers did more experimenting. Willa Cather [Stout #1071]
Letters seem to have crossed. Edith sent Traveler's Aid booklet so Carrie could see pictures of real people the Society has assisted, not as an appeal for donation. Glad to get good news about Helen Mac [baby?] . Had a nice visit with Yehudi Menuhin day before he left for France. What a lovely person! Willie [Stout #1108]
Glad to accept the medal of the International Mark Twain Society. Is proud to think, as Albert Bigelow Paine reports in his biography, that Mark Twain expressed admiration of one of her poems [later letter says "The Palatine"]. P.S.: Sorry to be slow responding, but is just back from northern Canada [?]. Willa Cather [Stout #1208]
