Comments about "A Wagner Matinee" in his column were biting. Family is offended by the story, too. Didn't mean to disparage Nebraska. Story reflects past times and a particular mood. The Troll Garden won't be out until fall. Willa S. Cather [Stout #95]
Thanks for sharing what Miss Roseboro' said about the stories. Roseboro's own are a sentimental muddle. Best wishes for Dorothy's doctoral exam in May. Hopes to get to Vermont this summer. Will mainly be in New York near or with Edith Lewis. Hopes to finish novel there. Might take an English course at Columbia, if there is one in the summer. Isabelle still droopy from bad throat. Parents [Cather's] have just moved into a new, roomier house and want her to come help select furnishings, but she needs to finish the novel for McClure. Willie [Stout #97]
Sorry to have missed him. Felt ill and left early. Can they have an appointment July 2 or 3? Willa S. Cather [Stout #113]
Will publish "The Valley of the Mills" as is if he can't revise it. Would like to see "Mortmain" again if he can sharpen its point. S. S. McClure, per W. S. C. [Stout #114]
S. S. McClure has reread "The Valley of the Mills" and hopes to see more work from him. Please send his address so she won't have to write through Reynolds. Willa Sibert Cather [Stout #118]
Appreciates her comforting words. Very worried about father, but news today seems encouraging. Willa Cather [Stout #119]
Sorry not to get home for Christmas, especially when he is ill, but can't desert McClure in this difficulty. Must get the March article out [on Mary Baker Eddy]. Did not work on the January one, began with February. Hopes to be home by New Year's. Willie [Stout #120]
Envies his being in Italy. Is working on the material about Eddy, after three men failed with it. It drives out every trace of an imaginative idea. Why doesn't he like [Pierre] Loti—afraid of real imagination? He covers up his own with slang and imitations of Kipling. Or maybe he fears being sentimental. McClure has paid $500 for illustrations for "The Valley of the Mills." Was in Pittsburgh a couple of months ago and saw the Willards. Only music saves her in New York. Please ask Mr. Reynolds to send her his work personally. Willa S. Cather [Stout #125]
Glad to have his letter along saying he has confidence in her. Has started to work. Needs to have the April article to the printer in two weeks. Mr. McKenzie very helpful and a born editor. Willa S. Cather [Stout #126]
Has held up illustrations for the first article. In a rush to get out Harper's Weekly with shortage of staff. Won't lose much time, as still has some Boston material. W. S. C. [Stout #127]
