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#1004: Willa Cather to Irene Miner Weisz, February 6, 1930

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The Grosvenor4
35 FIFTH AVENUE
New York2
My dear Irene1:

I would hardly think it possible that a telegram could give me as much pleasure as yours did. (Telegrams of late years have so often meant something dismal.) Nothing in the world could please me more than to hear that Carrie5 is going to Europe6 - few things could please me as much. Edith7 and I expect to sail May 14th. We have already taken our passage on the Berengaria, but first of course I must go to California8 and back. My leaving has been delayed by many things, but I will surely get off by the 20th. I have not yet decided what route I will take. I dread the northern trip, but I do want to stop and see Roscoe9. I will surely let you know when I come through Chicago3. I want to satisfy myself that you are really well and out of the hands of doctors; and I do want to tell you, Irene, about Mary Virginia10. She is so spunky that I am awfully proud of her. She has had awfully hard jobs for little money and never whimpers. This afternoon I sent her a beautiful T-bone steak and a lot of green vegetables. That is the kind of present I sent my rich little niece now. Nothing ever did her so much good as being poor.

This is a secret. I don't know how much her father11 knows about her affairs, and I don't want to give anything away. She is brick brick—and it's such a hard year to get work. I don't believe they'll ever starve her out!

My dearest love to you and Carrie. Tell her I won't be able to stop in Red Cloud12 this winter. The truth is, Irene, I am just not strong enough for the pleasure or the pain of it. I have to save myself for mother13 and then for the trip abroad, which is absolutely necessary for my new book14.

So lovingly Willie
Mrs. Charles. M.W. Weisz1 3270 Sheridan Road, Chicago, Ill.3 NEW YORK MADISON [missing]2 FEB [missing] 1030P 2/6/1930
Mary Virginia
Secret