Why did Mariel buy the disreputable Sappho? Kit and Mr. Myres flirting. Is feeling lonely but takes refuge in French history, George Eliot, and long horseback rides. Was at Mrs. Garber's on Sunday. Kit loaned her copy of Sappho to a church woman—how depraved! Is doing vivisection on frogs. Mariel could set up lab at newspaper office. Willa Cather [Stout #4]
Has been visiting Katharine and her brother. Please send trunk keys she left. Why no letters? [Breaks off.] [Stout #20]
Enjoyed visiting Katharine and her brother, who is more charming than ever. Quoted Ella Wheeler Wilcox to each other. Attended New Year's dance with Douglass—a rustic event. Could Mariel retrieve her [Cather's] copy of Daudet's Sapho from Sarah Harris? Doesn't know when she will be back in Lincoln. Here in the country might as well be dead. Is indifferent to everything, even suicide. Willa [Stout #21]
Enclosing a letter to Professor Adams. Has been to see Regent Kaley, who says decision on new instructor to replace Professor Bates rests with regents and chancellor. Please speak to them about it. Is confident she can stay in the job if she gets temporary appointment. Age and sex are against her, but would take it at lower rank and less pay than a man. Willa Cather [Stout #23]
Appreciates her help getting through scrapes during years at the university. Now another one. Keeps making a fool of herself! Keeps trying on personas (the scholarly, the bohemian)! Would consider suicide but knows her stupidities spring from liking someone too well. People always watching her, waiting for her to do something unusual. Feels superficial and useless where she is. Little brother Jack is the one consolation. Has been to a dance with Douglass and actually enjoyed it. Miner girls there. Met a Miss [Anna] Gayhardt and talked all night. Can't talk like this to Katharine [Weston], of course. Hopes to get up to Lincoln soon. Professor Bates very happy in his new job. Willa [Stout #24]
Is Katharine[Weston?] still in Montana, or has she come home? Hasn't heard from her since August 1. Willa [Stout #31]
Has accepted a temporary position with the Library. Parents may move to Lincoln. Will be there to help around the first of November and will stay through the winter. Would be interested in some work on the Journal. Has to work, or will begin to resemble Herbert Bates. Has some new prose and poetry being published in the fall. Willa Cather [Stout #62]
Has been ill, or would have written sooner. Has obtained a passport and will sail on May 19. Hopes Hoover will be nominated while she is away. Willa Cather [Stout #505]
Wanted to let her know about Professor Bates. Saw him very little after he left the university. He remained boyish and yet matured, a very gentle person and quite individual. Willa [Stout #977]
Should have wired him. So pleased that his bank has weathered recent events. Curious about his perspective on the banking sector. Thinks anything is preferable to doing nothing, and though Roosevelt is not a genius, at least the U.S. will be active again. Haven't had a President who can converse in French with the French Ambassador since Theodore Roosevelt. The Laval incident only happened because Hoover and Laval had a misunderstanding. Is very busy, but hopes Roscoe continues to stay in touch about his business activities. Willie.
