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#1935: Willa Cather to Edith McClung Sawyer, [October 30, 1938]

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⬩W⬩S⬩C⬩ My Dear Edith1;

This must be a short note, as tomorrow I am leaving for New Hampshire3 and have been packing all day. I shall be there until after November, at a quiet little hotel4 in the woods where for many years I have spent every autumn when I did not go to spend it with Isabelle5 in Paris6.

2I, too, have had a most gracious letter from Marion Dix7, telling me many little things8 which Jan9 did not—men seldom tell those little details.

Now to reply to your questions. Isabelle's last will, made in Paris in July 1936, made Jan her sole heir and executor. Therefore that means he has the disposal of all her personal belongings and does it not? And also it would devolve on him to fix her place of burial10. (Surely your brother Alfred11 would know about what his rights are as husband and executor.)

Isabelle never spoke to me, or wrote to me, where she wished to be buried. I can not remember even a chance remark which indicated her choice. I would feel almost sure that Jan would know her preference, and absolutely sure that he would follow it.

I am so sorry to hear that you are having trouble with your eyes. I hope it isn't cataract, for that is tedious, though it usually comes out well in the ed end, doesn't it? The actual operation, I mean.

I am sorry to miss seeing you, and I want to have a long talk with you sometime, but not now. I want to give myself time to heal over a little first. Please thank Alfred for his kind letter. I shall reply to it when I am feeling better.

With affection and sympathy Willa Cather Postmarked
Oct. 30, 1938
Mrs. Le Roy Sawyer1 Orchard Hill Cherry Valley12 New York