Sends greetings from Howard Gore, whom she saw in May 1917. Does not want to be interviewed. Willa Sibert Cather [Stout #417]
Sorry to have left town without seeing her and Mrs. [Franz?] Boas. Sinclair Lewis said such nice things in his Toronto lecture that she had to beg people to leave her alone so she could work. Health is better than when she left. Novel progressing. Sending a snapshot taken when she was in the Mediterranean. Willa Cather [Stout #544]
Enclosing a letter from Mrs. Floyd Dell that will amuse her with its revelation of the maternal impulses of even a habituée of Greenwich Village. Willie [Stout #575]
Has been in the country with friends. Just found her note today. Has not been well. Only saw Mrs. [Franz?] Boas once all winter. Tonsillectomy was difficult, and she felt worse after she returned from the sanitorium. Also occupied with proofs. Sorry not to be available to visit. Willa Cather [Stout #600]
Letter came at a good time, when she was in bed partly to avoid social obligations, partly because of a stiff neck. Pleased to report people of Red Cloud crowned her picture with a laurel wreath. Has enjoyed reading The Doctor Looks at Literature [by Joseph Collins, 1923]. Recommends Mme Curie's book about her husband. Mother is still vexed by Sinclair Lewis's Babbitt. Unfortunately for Alfred Knopf, just when readers are prepared to buy books by her about the West she starts writing things where setting doesn't matter. P.S.: Is the yellow cat male or female? Willa [Stout #719]
Glad to hear from her and get her correct address. Glad her health holds up. Please pass along greetings to Mrs. [Franz?] Boas. Hopes she will like the remembrance of a pleasanter New York, about 1904, in the new book. Can't stand New York now unless she gets away most of the year. Willa Cather [Stout #852]
Will write for as long as it takes to smoke a cigarette. Has been busy sending off Christmas presents. Niece Mary Virginia is coming to visit soon, no doubt traveling in something like the style of Queen Marie [of Romania, who traveled from Seattle to New York by train in November 1926 with great publicity]. The queen stopped off in Red Cloud [on Nov. 11], by the way, and was presented a copy of One of Ours. New book [Archbishop] will be serialized starting in January. Writing it gave her a feeling of great happiness. Willa [Stout #865]
Just received her letter written a month ago. Sorry she didn't get to inscribe the book for J. M. Barrie. Willa Cather [Stout #1233]
Has intended for some time to write and thank her for relaying James M. Barrie's message about My Ántonia. Cannot try to write a story using the idea she suggested. Ideas for stories must be her own. Willa Cather [Stout #1261]
Regrets her letter has been lying unanswered for two months. Has been in Grand Manan. New York is insupportable, and travel west is difficult because roads [i.e., railroads] almost totally occupied with military transport. Only place she could go for quiet was to the island, and no mail was forwarded. S. S. McClure now lives at the Union League Club in New York. His eruptive energy has dissipated, replaced by an overwhelming gentleness and calm. If the war ever ends, hopes to get back to London and see her. Childhood years in both France and England must have produced an interesting person! Willa Cather [Stout #1674]
