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#1386: Willa Cather to Zoë Akins, December 30 [1937]

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My Dearest Zoë1;

The chrysanthemums came as fresh as if you had just cut them. While I was arranging them in vases they filled the whole apartment3 with their very individual perfume—full of the earth and fresh bitterness. One of the parts I always loved best in "A la Recherche du Temps Perdu"4 is Odette's drawingroom, always full of chrysanthemums and their cool smell— which was so new to the little boy.

The orange marmalade is the best I ever ate. It will be my tea-companion for a long while to come.

[illegible] For me this Christmas was wonderful—the best I've had in years. The weather cold and clear and golden the Menuhin children5 near and golden, and lots of beautiful youth whirling about me. The beautiful and gifted 3 new youth is just as fine and delicate in feeling and perception as gifted youth used to be, forty years ago. It's only the young mud[?] images who are ugly and vulgar. They always existed, but we never used to know about them. Now they have every opportunity to make themselves seen and heard.

But, all the same, the world is full of youth like the sunrise—at least I feel so just now!

Happy New Year, and my love. W
Mrs. Hugo Rumbold1 2041 Brigden Road Pasadena6 California NEW YORK, N.Y. STA. Y2 DEC 31 1937 1030 AM