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#1959: Willa Cather to Mary Virginia Boak Cather, September 6 [1922]

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My Very Dear Mother:

I am going back to New York on Monday, the 11th. Don't want to go but Knopf begs me to come to autograph the five hundred books that make up his first edition. I've had such a real rest here, besides getting some good work done.

Now Mother dear, I want you to think a few times and let me know whether you would rather I came home from the middle of October to middle of November, or came for your Golden Wedding and spent the month of December with you. If I keep moderately well, I can do either one you say. I may have to have my appendix taken out before I go west but am not sure—will have an x-ray examination first. In any case I ought to be out of the hospital by October 15th.

I will come whenever either time you prefer. If you'd rather have me there for December, all right. Only warn Daddy that he must not refer to my great age, and he must not call attention to the fact that I was born so long ago. Tell him to remember Judge Yieser at the Woodman's suppe supper, and how sorry we all felt for "Miss P. D." when the Judge insisted on telling her age!

I expect you are lonely without Elsie, dear Mother. I enclose a letter from Dorothy Canfield. I would write you more now, but I have dozens of letters to answer, so goodbye for today.

Very lovingly Willie

I am sure you would be delighted if you knew what a comfort your woolen scarf has been to me this summer. It is about my shoulders this minute, as I sit under a pine tree on the cliffs up over the sea, writing to you. I never go to walk without it.