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#1969: Willa Cather to Mary Virginia Boak Cather, December 15 [1928]

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VIRTUS NON STEMMA
The Grosvenor3
35 FIFTH AVENUE
New York2
My Darling Mother1;

What do you think I have been doing this afternoon? Packing a nice little Christmas box for you. I do hope you will like it. There is something nice for Mrs. Bates4 in it, too. I will send it off tomorrow.

I cannot write you on the typewriter today for the noise would disturb Edith Lewis5, who is in bed. She dislocated her knee, and the surgeon who came to bandage it said she must lie on her back for two days.

I am afraid you will get no Xmas remembrance from Isabelle6 this year. Three weeks ago the foot that was hurt some years back and has never been strong since, turned under her when she was crossing the street, she fell and broke her shoulder blade and is still in a plaster cast. Jan7 writes that she has suffered terrible pain with it. I find it hard to work on my book8 with you not quite so well and all my friends breaking their bones!

Mary Virginia9, thank Heaven, is well and gay. Today I sent her a lovely roast of beef and lots of nice vegetables, including mushrooms, of which she is very fond, and tonight she is giving a dinner party. It's grand to be young!

VIRTUS NON STEMMA
The Grosvenor
35 FIFTH AVENUE
New York

Last week I went to a formal dinner party at President Butler's10, president of Columbia University, and met a number of distinguished people—among them the Governor11 of Virginia and his wife12. Both of them are very charming. y Yesterday I spent at my publisher's13 country house14.

Now dear, if you are impatient to open your packages before Christmas, you may do so, but I'd rather you kept them until Christmas. Ask Douglass15 to write me how you are, but when I write to you I don't have time to write to you—I mean my letters for you both, and send my love to both.

Devotedly Willie