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I got back from Philadelphia3 and took up the book4 this afternoon. I began with the Woodberry5 chapter6 read from there on through the First War. There are many things I want to write you about, and I shall do so after I have finished the book and after my secretary7 returns to town2.
What a delightful life -- what a lot of fun you have had! There is (sic) happy social atmosphere about the book; happy
and
unobtrusive, which is one of the things I like best.
It's warm and cordial in tone without being too
cordial. In other words, it's well-bred.
As for me, you've certainly done handsomely by me8 -- really better than I deserve. I've always been a hap-hazard sort of writer. When I got interested I drove ahead without much thought of how or why. For close texture I'm not in it with you yourself! I've saved a number of your letters just for their close weave. Yes, I can cut out trashy adjectives or unimportant detail, but that is not the same thing as a close texture.
In most of your estimates of writing people I agree with you, but I differ about 9 Sydnor Harrison10. I could never see anything there but a thin journalist who wrote from the outside.
Aside from detail the book is such pleasant company and calls up so many delightful memories. I wish you had called it "Fishing and Publishing", but perhaps when I read the early chapters I will see why you didn't.
2You've had, you know, great luck -- very fortunate, singularly fortunate coincidences. Seeing your first airplane rise against the Alban Hills, for instance! Congratulations and may the good luck continue!
Faithfully yours Willa CatherBy the way on page 54 shouldn't Zinsser11 the scientist be Zinsner12. I heard him speak of Wooberry.