Has received Erna's picture. Is impressed that Mr. Seibel has acquired a complete set of Hugo, but they will envy her "Thistle" Stevenson. Has not yet retrieved manuscripts from Axtell and Orr. Beware of Christians! But is attending church with her family. Leaving on hunting trip today. Has a cold. Willa Cather [Stout #41]
Thanks for launching her with S. S. McClure. Had a telegram from him and has been to New York to see him. Feeling elated, as if her life is now more valuable than before. McClure to run her stories in the magazine, then publish as a book. Will place for her any he does not use. At the McClure house met wife of Robert Louis Stevenson, who had read the stories. Greatly appreciates his help. Other plans afoot. P.S.: Doesn't seem to be able to reach Sarah Harris. Willa S. Cather [Stout #84]
Would like to change the title of the story she recently revised for him, from "Nellie Deane" to "The Flower in the Grass."["The Joy of Nelly Deane," Century, October 1911] Willa Sibert Cather [Stout #184]
Sorry she didn't get the invitation to his wedding. Heard he was married, but not that he was in Wisconsin. A good place to teach. McClure's never uses literary articles. Might try Atlantic Monthly. A lot of trash written about Robert Browning, but he remains popular because behind his hectic style are strong ideas fairly near common sentiment. [Breaks off] [Stout #204]
Will be glad to write some articles [for the Century] after December 1. Will send a short story in a few days. Willa Sibert Cather [Stout #206]
Just got her letter. Gained five pounds at Mesa Verde. Had a bad time in the worst canyon in Colorado; got some bruises. Has received an advance copy of the book—terrible proofreading. Surely a good proofreader would have caught the errors she missed herself. Has learned a lesson about hurrying a book. Has marvelous photos of the Southwest. Has Elsie seen A Boy's Will [ Frost ]? It's even better than North of Boston. W. [Stout #323]
Controversy about the book ought to boost sales, at any rate. Receives letters equally absolute on both sides. Had tea yesterday with William Allen White—such a pleasant person. He kept trying to encourage her and joked that her elite literary set had abandoned her. Sinclair Lewis there also. Glad she didn't feel irritated with him, because she can never hide it. P.S.: Would like to meet Robert Frost. Willa [Stout #624]
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]
Misunderstood his previous note about the Clyde Fitch lecture for next year. Please count on her for 1927. Hopes to see him at the birthday celebration for Robert Frost. Willa Cather [Stout #772]
Cather has gone to the country to get away from distractions and work on her new novel. Would surely answer her questions if she were there. Ellen Burns, Sec'y [Stout #775]