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]
Enjoyed seeing Mrs. Gardener's [Isabella Stewart Gardner?] house last week, with daffodils in bloom. Has returned library books and asked them to keep her card in case she comes back. Came to Boston in pursuit of Mrs. Eddy and likes the city better and better. In New York, feels under siege. Wishes Mr. McClure had come and introduced her last year, but is glad they finally met. Her friendship and Jewett's make the year's work worthwhile. Willa Sibert Cather [Stout #136]
Had hoped to be there for commencement, but is leaving for London on business. Has kept up with Red Cloud schools through brothers and sisters. Remembers with love Mr. and Mrs. A. K. Goudy and Mr. and Mrs. O. C. Case. Mrs. Case, then Miss King, was principal when she first entered the school. Remembers her first teacher and some of her fellow pupils. Always tried to please Miss King, who helped and advised her all through high school—even tried to teach her algebra, an impossibility. Hard to believe it has been nineteen years since she graduated. Best wishes to the new graduates. They should try to live up to their teachers' goals for them. Willa Cather [Stout #159]
Will have "The Case of the Reporter" set in type soon and send proofs to Danzig. Glad he likes the article on the German emperor. Can meet him at the office between four and five on Friday [July 1]. Would be good to talk things over before he sails. Willa Sibert Cather [Stout #180]
"For Fannie Butcher, who wrote the first discriminating review of my first novel. (In this case my interest in the reviewer has outlasted my interest in the novel, for I don't think much of that book now!) With greetings and good wishes, Willa Sibert Cather [Stout #497]
Apparently caught the flu from the Knopfs and is in hospital. Suggests "Paul's Case" for the German translation he spoke of. [Signed for her by M. P. Spaw(?)] [Stout #674]
Suggests he use "Paul's Case" or "The Sculptor's Funeral." Willa Cather [Stout #868]
Just over a bad case of influenza. Edith was gone to her mother's funeral. Please send the measurements for father's window [at Grace Episcopal Church, Red Cloud, Nebraska]. Willie [Stout #937]
Sorry to hear she broke her collarbone. Has been working well, also walking and taking boat rides and enjoying the case of champagne she bought in Canada. W. S. C. [Stout #976]
Has just returned from Canada and begun to answer letters. Gives permission to make a Hungarian translation of either "Paul's Case" or "The Sculptor's Funeral." Secretary will send one of the pamphlets Knopf puts out giving biographical information. Can't send a photograph just now. Willa Cather [Stout #1236]
