Appreciates her comforting words. Very worried about father, but news today seems encouraging. Willa Cather [Stout #119]
Sorry she has had bad news. Mr. McClure turned up unexpectedly last week. Leaving for Pittsburgh tomorrow. Elsie Sergeant saved her sanity while she [Cather] was in Boston. Willa Sibert Cather [Stout #215]
Has reached Winslow. Is worried about Elsie's news. W. S. C. [Stout #220]
Will be glad to assist with autobiography. Is enjoying her trip, especially seeing pueblos and cliff dwellings. A wonderful part of the world. Planning to see a Moki [Hopi] snake dance and go into Mexico with Douglass. News of the Titanic is shocking. Willa Cather [Stout #222]
Has written to McClure about providing a sketch, but he is away in Texas. Will try to write the article for Book News if he will send more specific instructions. Let Mr. Scaife know about the quotable reviews in the Boston Advertiser and the New Bedford Standard. P.S.: Wondering if it will be reviewed in the Atlantic. Willa Cather [Stout #330]
Enclosing an article for Book News. Isabelle's father has died. Has had to forgo going to Chicago with Fremstad, who seems to like the book. Glad the reviews haven't mentioned her. Hasn't heard from McClure. W. S. C. [Stout #335]
Feels inadequate to write, but wants her to know that her loss [of Grosvenor] is present in her thoughts. Everything else seemed to fade into unreality when she saw G. P.'s name in the newspaper under the heading "killed in action"—a title that sets men apart in glory. Now feels she carries a name of honor because it was his name. It was Isabelle who showed her the newspaper notice. Somehow, had not believed he would be harmed in the war. Knows she must be glad he found his mission in life. Remembers talking with him about the war news in August, 1914. He was not content on the farm; this great endeavor was the kind of effort he needed and craved. Very few men have both the courage and the ability to serve the country in this great challenge as he did. Sends love and sympathy. Willie [Stout #419]
Shocked by the news of her accident. Must have been very painful and the explosion shocking. Is seeing a lot of returning soldiers and having some to her apartment for dinner. Ours are nicer than other countries' soldiers. So glad she likes Ántonia. Her own feelings about it have vacillated. Terrible how many American soldiers died in training camps [in influenza epidemic]. Do come home to recover, then go back to France to get back to work. What a strange world!—with Germany expecting relief first. Willa S. C. [Stout #443]
Please send twenty-five reprints from Chicago News. Is Houghton Mifflin going to insert this item as a folder into new publications? Knopf has done that for Hergesheimer. Long letter to come soon. W. S. C. [Stout #459]
The photo appeared in the Wanamaker Book News shortly after the publication of The Song of the Lark. First edition of Bright Medusa is sold out (3,500 copies) and second edition coming out today. W. S. C. [Stout #521]
