Has read his article on Mark Twain in the Yale Review. Knew Mark Twain in his last years. Has always found the Van Wyck Brooks book about him grossly inaccurate. Glad to hear Phelps thinks so, too. If Brooks had been able to spend five minutes talking with the grand old man in his bed, he would have written differently. Willa Cather [Stout #1298]
Has just returned from West Coast and found his letter. Would be glad to have the booklet on Housman dedicated to her, but imagines it has already been published by now. Enjoyed reading the Housman issue of the Quarterly. Has he seen the drawing of Housman in William Archer's Modern English Poets? [Probably Archer's Poets of the Younger Generation, 1902.] Willa Cather [Stout #1305]
Not sure why The Song of the Lark has not been translated into Spanish. Glad he likes her article in Commonweal enough to republish it as a pamphlet, but it belongs to Knopf and he will use it in a small volume of essays soon. Leaving soon to spend all of May in New England botanizing with friends. Willa Cather [Stout #1317]
Probably written before no. 1336. Appreciates his offering her the vice-presidency of the Mark Twain Society. Willa Cather [Stout #1323]
Sorry not to have replied to his letter in the summer, but received it only recently. Doesn't understand his reference to a "pilgrimage" to see A. E. Housman. Why would he presume to describe an incident he knew nothing about? Has never given out information about the occasion except to private friends. Hopes he won't put anything about it into his biography of Housman. Considers his request for information rude. Willa Cather [Stout #1336]
Believes the article he mentioned was published in the Saturday Review and written by that inveterate liar Ford Madox Ford. Certainly never led any group of ladies to go see A. E. Housman. Did meet him, but not at Cambridge. Did not talk about his poetry. This has been very annoying. Alfred Knopf has suggested she write her recollection of the meeting, to silence questions. Will probably do so some time, in the plain style of her recollections of meetings in Not under Forty. Willa Cather [Stout #1355]
Hopes it is all right, autographed book to him rather than to Mark Twain Society. Cannot write even a short piece about G. K. Chesterton for their quarterly. Has promised Knopf not to do any incidental writing. Maintaining this as a general rule saves many problems. Willa Cather [Stout #1362]
Does not recognize initials F. S. and does not remember visiting anyone in Bronx Park. Neither she nor Ida Tarbell makes it a practice to go to literary teas. Whoever told him that was not truthful. Willa S. Cather, signed by Sarah J. Bloom with note "dictated by Miss Cather." [Stout #1373]
The Mr. Lamy who has written him is a great nephew of Archbishop Lamy, on whom she based Latour in Death Comes for the Archbishop. Has never met him. Willa Cather [Stout #1395]
Thanks for the letter about the baby [probably Mary Virginia Auld, niece, born November 11, 1905], who likely had a rich Christmas. Had a good trip to New York, but unfortunately was too busy to see the Wieners. Will someday show Bess the beautiful dress she bought for the dinner [Cather attended a dinner at Delmonico's in New York celebrating the 70th birthday of Mark Twain in December 1905]. Auntie Gore's letter said that Douglass Clark has nine children, that Perry's kids are living in Winchester and Walter works at a bank, and Howard Gore's wife is wintering in Switzerland and sending Sidney to school there. Auntie doesn't seem to enjoy their living abroad. Was good of Alec Bentley to visit his father. Is Mrs. Governor Garber still in Red Cloud? Sends affection to everyone, particularly the baby. Tell Mollie hello and please write and get Jess to write, too. PS: Is wearing garters Jess gave her. Received many Christmas gifts, including silk stockings, a leather bag, a pin, hand-embroidered clothing, and books. Willie
