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#0048: Willa Cather to Mariel C. Gere, March 7, 1898

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My Dear Mariel1;

Yesterday I made the interminable journey out to Homestead4 to see—whom do you think? No less a person than Mary Esther Robbins5 who is catalogueing books at the library6. To go to the Homestead to make a call is about like going to Crete7, and it's Hades8 when you get there, all smoke9 and flames. Miss Robbins, however, is worth even a short trip to Hades. She inquired for you and your mother10 with real affection, and asked me to tell you of her engagement. The Gentleman is a Mr. or rather a Herr Neumann11, a professor of science, has been a soldier in the German Army, is tall and strong and handsome. She laid particular stress on the latter engaging quality. I fancy she rather glories in his good looks as if they were her personal property. She is much plumper than when we knew her, and has had her face treated with good results. She seems very happy. It is worth going even to Homestead to see a happy person.

Ona Imhoff12 is in town, at the Carnegie Library13, but I have'nt seen her yet. How funny that she should be landed right among my dear Willards14 and Andersons15. She could'nt have found nicer people.

Now it occurs to me that the Spring vacation is nigh at hand and that there is no reason in the world why you should'nt come on and put in a week with me and see Miss Robbins and the town. Do you fall in with the scheme? Do make an effort to come, Mariel.

I spent a week over in New York16 in February and had a glorious time. By strange fatality I missed all the Lincoln3 people. I think I met every Thesbian in New York, but my soul did'nt seem to yearn toward them much. I had luncheon17 with Madame Modjeska18, which was truly delightful. It has not often been my pleasure to meet so thorough a gentlewoman and so sound a scholar.

Let me know at once if you can come, my dear girl. My O but we'll have a time! Roscoe19 continues to improve20. My warmest love to your mother and all of the family21.

Hastily Willa
Miss Mariel C. Gere1 D & 9th Streets Lincoln3 Nebraska PITTSBURGH, PENN2 MAR 8 98 130 PM Mar 8 1898Tells us about Miss RobinsSpeaks of Modjeska LN REC2 MAR 10 98 2 AM