Mother has been ill since September 1. Has been keeping house and cooking. Has a dear servant [ Marjorie ] who helps but doesn't cook. Has finally learned to make good pastry. Will go to Arizona in two weeks. Glad to hear she went to Walnut Canyon. Has read her "French Perspectives" and found it very pleasing. Still distressed about poor proofreading in Lark. Maybe they will see each other in New York after Christmas. W. S. C. [Stout #372]
May be interested to know Heinemann will publish an English edition of My Ántonia. Perhaps he has friends who could call attention to it? Glad O Pioneers! got Edward Garnett's notice. Willa S. Cather [Stout #457]
Understands that he, too, thinks Joseph Conrad's latest book [ The Arrow of Gold ] weak. Hard to believe how people think it's the real thing. Is working on a new novel. Willa Cather [Stout #463]
Has only one story available [probably "Her Boss," Smart Set October 1919], and it has been declined by Century. He may have it for $100 if he wants it. Looking forward to seeing his book on the American language when she gets back to New York. Interesting that Conrad himself thinks the new book is weak. Willa Cather [Stout #467]
Hopes they had a nice Thanksgiving. Had hers at home. Please tell Margie the French woman, Josephine, is back working for her part-time; she is an artist of housekeeping. Cook their own breakfast and have to carry in the ice to the icebox, which is pretty heavy. Would appreciate a couple of aprons for Christmas. Hasn't heard from Isabelle yet. Sorry to have been so testy this summer. Willie [Stout #563]
Pleased by his article on "Our National Letters." Earlier in career tried to counter the influence of foreign writers by following Henry James and Edith Wharton; now realizes their conventions took her further into artifice, away from authenticity. Would like to send him an advance copy of new novel when it becomes available. Does not believe it is a sentimental book. Willa Cather [Stout #577]
Hurrying to leave for Nebraska but will answer briefly. Georgine Milmine, now Mrs. Benjamin Wells, of Aubrey, N.Y., gathered material on Mrs. Eddy. McClure bought the material, subsequently lost (along with a first edition of Science and Health) when the magazine was sold. Milmine couldn't do the writing, and after sampling short segments of it done by several other people he chose her [Cather]. This was shortly after she came to New York. Carefully checked the material and believes it is all accurate except the first chapter, written by Burton Hendrick, now with Doubleday. His resentment at being removed from the project may be part of the reason Doubleday does not bring it back into print. Please keep confidential. Willa Cather [Stout #649]
Yes, write to Mrs. Wells [Georgine Milmine] but do not mention Cather's name. Might also write to S. S. McClure for an account of how the material was collected. [Stout #658]
Sorry, can't commit anything for the first issue of the Mercury. Being treated for neuritis in right arm and has hardly written a thing all summer. Has three new stories planned. Too beautiful here to stay indoors and write anyway. Willa Cather [Stout #698]
Appreciates her kindness to mother and to Margie. Loved Margie with the special love one reserves for children or those whose minds never grow up. Enjoyed cooking for her and caring for her a little when she went home. They understood each other. Is fairly well; writing on The Professor's House, which should be out next fall. Funny to think of Jessie going around with the movie people on A Lost Lady! Willie [Stout #754]
