Guide to Reading Letter Transcriptions
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| Textual Feature | Appearance |
|---|---|
| passage deleted with a strikethrough mark | |
| passage deleted by overwritten added letters | |
| passage added above the line | passage with added text above |
| passage added on the line | passage with added text inline |
| passage added in the margin | passage with text added in margin |
| handwritten addition to a typewritten letter | typed passage with added handwritten text |
| missing or unreadable text | missing text noted with "[illegible]" |
| uncertain transcriptions | word[?] |
| notes written by someone other than Willa Cather | Note in another's hand |
| printed letterhead text | printed text |
| text printed on postcards, envelopes, etc. | printed text |
| text of date and place stamps | stamped text |
| passage written by Cather on separate enclosure. | written text |
I am a hard-boiled refuser of invitations to speak at colleges. It has become automatic, I never think twice about it. And yet I find myself hesitating over your letter. I think the reason must be in something kind and friendly in the letter itself, which makes me feel that speaking for you would be a pleasant experience. I am not a very good speaker, and I have broken my rule of refusing only twice before, but if the evening of Thursday, December sixteenth would suit you, I could give you an informal talk on the novel on that date.
I would want to leave New York2 on Wednesday afternoon, and I have an engagement here for Friday afternoon. I would be very happy to accept your invitation to stay with you, and I would much prefer not to meet people. After the lecture, of course, I would be glad to meet anyone you wish me to, but I would want to have a quiet day on Thursday in order to get a few nontes together.
Very cordially yours Willa Cather
