Hopes Mrs. Stowell will soon come to town for another visit. School will start soon, and she will have to leave her dissecting laboratory and father's office, where she is in charge. Yesterday father thwarted an attempted scam. Carrie Miner gone to college. A nearby married couple not happy. Another couple as romantic as characters in a Ouida novel. Wm. Cather [Stout #1]
Sorry for previous letter. Ironic to be called bohemian, considering present hardworking life. Has been on a picnic to Erie and an excursion on the river; returning by moonlight, admired the glow of the steel furnaces and was serenaded by a Princeton boy. Recited college composition on Carlyle at an afternoon tea and was at once welcomed into the social set. Axtells are kind but not warm; resemble the Pounds. Willa [Stout #29]
Is studying Greek and being treated like a goddess. Hasn't seen the Nevins, but they have phoned and he has sent a copy of Shakespeare's sonnets. In Chicago had dinner with Mr. Dooley. He and the Peatties encouraged her to come there to work. Mrs. Peattie's new story in Atlantic ["The Man at the Edge of Things," reviewed by Cather Nov. 4] establishes her as a writer. Was met at the train station by Isabelle, looking beautiful. They have been walking in the hills and going to concerts. Has read all of Dorothy's letters from Paris. Had a nice visit with May Willard last night. P.S.: Will tell her about Alfred next time. Willa [Stout #58]
Has finished first month of teaching, but may quit and go home to Red Cloud. So much effort, if one is serious about it, for so little pay. The "letters" have been rejected [projected book of open letters to actors]. Just as well; they were overwritten and not of lasting interest. Maybe some can be placed in the Critic, with Dorothy's help. "Jack-a-Boy" in the Saturday Evening Post with good illustrations. Has been reading Lemaître. McClungs have moved into new house. Would like to discuss the Pittsburgh novel. [Two poems are enclosed: "Caliban" and "The Inexorable."] Willie [Stout #68]
Hopes she can schedule her visit earlier, as school begins January 2. English now a major subject because of her, and must uphold responsibility. But come any time. Very eager to see her. Willa [Stout #71]
Examinations to begin soon. Will sail the 14th from Philadelphia, be in England until mid-to late July, depending on when she can meet them in Paris. Why has Dorothy been reading old Hesperians? Is not proud of her writing in them. Was not happy during that time. Hopes she likes new verses ["Lament for Marsyas" and "Hawthorn Tree"]. P.S.: Plan to go to Shropshire. Willa [Stout #72]
[Begins with lines from A. E. Housman, "The Recruit."] Is looking forward to seeing her in Paris. After Liverpool went to Chester, then to Shrewsbury. [Inserts four lines from Housman's "The Welch Marches."] Saw football being played [two lines from "(Is my team ploughing)"] and went to Shrewsbury jail [four lines from "(On moonlit heath and lonesome bank)"]. Tracing scenes of A Shropshire Lad. Has found out Housman's London address from his publisher. Ludlow Castle delightful, with its associations with both Housman and Sir Philip Sidney. [Inserts three stanzas of her own poem "Poppies on Ludlow Castle."] Willie [Stout #73]
Has taken pictures to be developed, shopped with Miss [Evelyn] Osborne for underclothes, and overeaten on Mme Sibut's excellent fish. Please scold the laundress who failed to return a set of underwear. Willa [Stout #75]
Enjoyed their day at Oxford. Jealousy on the part of the two people in Paris must have been what caused the grief. She seemed strange there as well. Willie [Stout #77]
Sorry to cancel visit, but must keep at work on stories, then going to New York to try to arrange book publication. Still regrets misunderstanding in the fall. Some of the stories good, but "Paul's Case" shows haste and "Pilgrim Joy" has to be discarded and replaced. Cycle will be two painter stories, one actor, one sculptor, one musician, one musical study, one writer, and one case of an artistic temperament without talent, and Fulvia. Title to be The Troll Garden, with epigraph from Charles Kingsley to explain. So wishes to come see her. Please apologize to parents. Wants her and Mrs. Canfield to read Phaedra story. P.S.: Mrs. McClung has been ill. Has scarcely had an evening to herself to work. Willie [Stout #80]
