Manuscript too biographical for McClure's, not focused enough. Sorry appointment was cut short, but needed to see Mr. Mackenzie, the business manager, before he left town. Willa Sibert Cather [Stout #197]
Enjoyed hearing from him. Doubts the young admirers of the New England writers even understand them. Willa Cather [Stout #759]
Always glad to help make Sarah Orne Jewett's work better known. Won't be back to New York until December. Review Mr. [DeWolfe] Howe spoke about was in Literary Review of the New York Evening Post. Willa Cather [Stout #839]
Please destroy her letters to Annie Fields. They are not genuinely characteristic in tone, since she was never comfortable with Mrs. Fields on paper, though she was in person. P.S.: No, please send the letters; will decide whether to return any to him to retain. Willa Cather [Stout #1084]
Appreciates receiving the packet of letters. Will look them over after first of year. Willa Cather [Stout #1086]
Has taken a good while to reply to Elsie. Many friends have been dying, and has been dictating sympathy letters to exhaustion. Must take satisfaction from the nice words of the late Justice Holmes in the morning's New York Times [Henry Steele Commager, in "Justice Holmes in his Letters" (a review of The Holmes-Pollock Letters, ed. Mark DeWolfe Howe, New York Times, March 23, 1941, p. BR1, BR30), writes "Willa Cather moved him, 'unexpectedly and deeply.'"] Needs such kind comments now more than she did before. Was glad to hear about the house Elsie built in Lincoln. Agrees with Edith that it was a very intelligent decision. Also pleased that Elsie did not solicit her advice for the choice, as she understands little about the current conditions in Red Cloud and Lincoln. Willard Crowell persists in writing letters saying everything will work out and even persuaded her to let Witwer put a well in the Jewell County, Kansas, land after the creek ran dry. Ran a deficit because of it. Crowell seems to think she would be unfaithful if she did not pay the taxes on the land. This is all to illustrate how little she understands how things are in Webster County. . . . [pages 2 and 3 missing] PS: Sorry that she was so noncommittal about coming to Red Cloud for Christmas. Her hand has worsened rather than improved, and traveling is a real burden. Since she cannot commit to coming to Red Cloud soon, Elsie should do what she wants with the house. The orthopedist from Boston, who only comes to New York a couple of times a month, is the only one who has been heartening. Enjoy your new house. Willie
