Enclosing essay on an intriguing English industry ["The Strangest Tribe of Darkest England," Pittsburgh Gazette, 31 August 1902, magazine section, p. 4], and has included photographs, though they aren't of very good quality due to her poor camera. Having a delightful trip and will write Mrs. Seibel from Paris. Willa Cather [Stout #74]
Had hoped to be there for commencement, but is leaving for London on business. Has kept up with Red Cloud schools through brothers and sisters. Remembers with love Mr. and Mrs. A. K. Goudy and Mr. and Mrs. O. C. Case. Mrs. Case, then Miss King, was principal when she first entered the school. Remembers her first teacher and some of her fellow pupils. Always tried to please Miss King, who helped and advised her all through high school—even tried to teach her algebra, an impossibility. Hard to believe it has been nineteen years since she graduated. Best wishes to the new graduates. They should try to live up to their teachers' goals for them. Willa Cather [Stout #159]
Another busy winter. Elsie made her first visit to New York at Christmas; they had a wonderful time except for worrying about Mother, who'd hurt herself in a fall. Elsie liked the apartment and the colored maid, who has taken over all housekeeping cares. Health is better this winter, though working all summer while Mr. McClure was ill in Europe wore her down. Had some time away to recuperate in the fall. Saw Mr. Wiener a few weeks ago; he is still himself, in spite of having made so much money. Isabelle visiting and sends her greeting. Hears from Howard Gore that he is going to the coronation of the king of Siam, whom he knew years ago. Wishes he wouldn't pursue aristocrats, but vanity seems endemic to Washington. Hears that Bessie and Auntie are well, and that she and Uncle George are too. May have to go to England in April. Hopes to receive a letter from her before going. Willie [Stout #188]
Is not related to Catherine D. Cather. Please inform the editor of Onward that she should not make such an assertion again. Willa Cather [Stout #859]
Won't be able to get to Portage; must go to Pasadena soon after Christmas. Keeps wanting to quote Kent in King Lear: "Fortune, turn thy wheel." Read Gale's book with grim humor. Impossible to live in isolation but impossible to avoid harming others if one isn't isolated. Has been wanting to talk with her about a particular matter. Will she be in New York before Christmas? [Stout #991]
Sorry to have missed her when she was in town. Must have been at the dentist when she phoned. Can only say again what Kent said in Lear. Christmas shopping for old German and Bohemian friends on Nebraska farms. Would feel guilty if she skipped them and they died before next Christmas. Willa S. C. [Stout #994]
The debate over Joseph Conrad is endless. Prefers a more direct, unadorned sentence style. Few writers can give themselves up to baroque emotionalism and succeed. Turgenev could. Conrad becomes artificial or decadent. Listened to the king's abdication speech on the radio [Edward VIII abdicated on December 11, 1936] and found it plausible and distinguished. An example of rhetorical control. What does he think of the people close to the king? [letter breaks off] [Stout #1350]
Loves the Chinese nightingale! But don't order from Thorley's florist shop again; quality has deteriorated. Will try before long to explain why she so dislikes Dan Totheroh's dramatization of A Lost Lady and send it back. How could Zoë have liked it? Dialogue doesn't fit the characters. Maybe she thinks it doesn't matter how a book is butchered so long as it becomes a play. However bad [Eugene] O'Neill is, at least he makes up his own drivel. Is always struggling to protect books from stage and radio. But as to radio, hopes she listened to king's speech. Sorry to be so cross. Please don't hold it against her. W. [Stout #1352]
Yes, may use the quotation so long as he does not use it to argue for translating the Bible into modern language. This was part of an interview many years ago, before she learned not to give interviews. Feels very strongly that the King James version of the Bible should remain the standard and people should not attempt to modernize it. [Stout #1765]
Appreciates kind request, but will not allow her books to be dramatized or filmed. Likes going to movies, but prefers to stick to the written word and a more discriminating audience of readers.
