Sorry not to have anything to send him yet. Will get back to New York in November and start to work. Glad to see the story in McClure's ["The Diamond Mine," Oct. 1916], but they should have let her cut it as she did "My Little Sister" [by Elizabeth Robins, pub. Dec. 1912 and Jan. 1913]. Willa Sibert Cather [Stout #367]
Will take $350 for the stories. Suggests he try "Little Annie" on McClure's and Everybody's. Did Smart Set reject "Scandal"? W. S. C. [Stout #391]
Congratulations on her article [ "Vermont: Our Rich Little Poor State" ] in the Nation. Hopes they can visit in private before or after they call on Knopf. Willa [Stout #598]
Does not review books. Please congratulate Dr. Leach on the revived Forum. Glad he could get the fine story by Miss Sedgwick. Willa Cather [Stout #740]
Hasn't received Anne Douglas Sedgwick's The Little French Girl, as he promised in letter. Please hold September check until further notice, as she will be there and in Jaffrey. Would he have a pound of caramels sent from Mary Elizabeth's [shop]? Isn't he planning a volume of Miss Guiney's poetry? [Happy Endings: The Collected Lyrics of Louise Imogen Guiney, edited by Greenslet, was published in 1927.] Could be working on it while lounging on the cliffs. Willa Cather [Stout #741]
The two pounds of caramels arrived C.O.D., though she feels sure he paid for it. Has begun Sedgwick's book and likes it so far. W. S. C. [Stout #742]
Was in Boston while he was in Virginia. Enjoyed The Little French Girl, though it is overly long. Glad he got money back from the candy shop. Will go on to New York next week. Hoping to finish the new novel this winter. Ready to receive her September royalty check. Telephone number on Bank Street is Watkins 7736, but not to be given out. Willa Cather [Stout #748]
Meant to spend a few weeks at the Lord Jeffrey after the holidays, but mother has suffered a stroke. Will have to go to California soon, which means abandoning work on which she had enjoyed making a start. Even worse, has to go to Long Beach. San Francisco would be all right. It will be another bad year. Has a little gift for them. Willa Cather [Stout #956]
Could he exert his influence to help her get two rooms at the Lord Jeffrey in Amherst for June 17, 18, and 19? Will be there to accept an honorary degree from Smith at the commencement when Virginia graduates. Realizes they would invite her to stay with them, but she doesn't visit friends— especially when receiving honorary degrees! Also, Miss Lewis will be with her. If the Lord Jeffrey is impossible, a room in Springfield would be all right. Hopes to see them. Willa Cather [Stout #1176]
Sorry to see an old friend of his [John Buchan, Lord Tweedsmuir] has died. Knows by experience how empty one's world begins to look. Realizes she is often shrewish, but does grieve for her friends' losses. Willa Cather [Stout #1472]
