Please send a copy of The Song of the Lark to Ruth St. Denis in Los Angeles, who has just written her about "The Diamond Mine." P.S.: Has been asked to do some long stories for New York magazines. Would he be interested in book publication of a group of three or four? W. S. C. [Stout #368]
Understands her regret that G. P. has enlisted, but he has always wanted to be in the military and this is his chance. It's a time of return to basics: men carrying guns. For herself, feels proud of him and glad he can go, especially as an officer. Wishes Jack were going. Was sorry not to see her, but the heat was debilitating and she and her friend fled back East. Was too worn out to work for a while, but now is working every morning in a tent about a mile from the inn. Douglass's reports about Mother are disheartening. Wonders if she should go to California to see about her. Address is at Hotel Garfield on O'Farrell Street in San Francisco. Elsie is delighted with her school and with Albuquerque. On the whole, families are pretty good things to have. Willa [Stout #390]
Has enjoyed traveling through Provence with the Hambourgs. Did not go to Italy because Edith warned her of food shortages. Will return to Paris for a while before sailing from Marseilles. Willa Cather [Stout #513]
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]
Has received the proofs. Feels confident in Enid, but knows most readers will feel as Dorothy does. Has come to a sanitarium for her health and to work in quiet. Will return to New York the next week. Willa [Stout #585]
Can't give him advice on how to write a story except to wait until he feels compelled by his material. Willa Sibert Cather [Stout #606]
Feels honored to receive his letter and glad to have introduced to him the Bohemian people she knew in Nebraska. While in Red Cloud for Christmas took the original Ántonia and six of her children to see the movie of A Lost Lady. Usually remains friendly with her characters. Wishes she could introduce to him the real Ántonia and her children. The Midwest is such a combination of contradictories that she can only write about what she lived. Has no biographical material to send him except a publicity brochure from Knopf. Is still only beginning to find her proper voice in fiction. Willa Cather [Stout #768]
Letter reached her in Wyoming, and she meant to answer it from Red Cloud but father had a heart attack. Better now. Came back to New York day before yesterday to vacate apartment. Putting things in storage. Has cancelled trip to France. Brother Douglass plans to take parents to California this winter. Doesn't suppose people who are used to movies will care for Death Comes for the Archbishop, a book without women. Sorry moviemakers will soon be at Acoma. Willa [Stout #890]
Father died March 3, a week after she left for New York. Kept his boyishness to the end. Got back to Red Cloud just at dawn when he was laid out at the house, everyone else asleep, so had some time alone with him. So glad to have had long, happy winter visit with them. Mother has gone to California with Douglass. Is staying to get some repairs done on the house. Willa [Stout #928]
Hasn't answered her letter because so much has happened. Father died March 3, a quick, gentle death. Is staying on to get some repairs done on the house for when her mother comes back from California. Will hope to see her next time she is in Boston. Willa Cather [Stout #929]