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#2077: Willa Cather to Roscoe Cather, June 23 [1917]

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⬩W⬩S⬩C⬩ My Dear Roscoe1;

I have never answered the nice letter you wrote me about Virginia4's tooth, though all my friends in New York5 had to hear the story. I came west suddenly because the University of Nebraska wrote me they wanted to give me an honorary degree on their Semi–Centennial Commencement6. They gave me and Edith Abbott7 (she is Jane Addams8' assistant and some wonder in sociology) Doctor of Letters, the first honorary degrees9 ever granted to women. They gave John Neihardt10 the poet Lit. D. also, and Doctor of Laws to Roosevelt11, Roscoe Pound12 and Gen. Pershing13. Elsie14 was in Lincoln15 visiting, and Daddy16 came up from Red Cloud. I think it was so nice of him! Barnard McNeny17 was there and he seemed no end pleased. I was pleased because all my old teachers seemed pleased with me. There have been very few honorary degrees given to women in this country; no more than a 3 dozen all told18, and most of them to great educators like Alice Freeman Palmer19 and Jane Addams.

Tell me, Roscoe, do you think there would be a furnished home for rent in Lander3 from July 15 to August 15? Edith Lewis20 comes west then, and we may go up into your part of the world21. Don't bid us come to you, for Edith won't visit anyone, she won't even stop here, I'm afraid. Let me know soon if you have heard of a home to let for that month. The Amoretti ranch22 at five dollars a day seems rather expensive for war times. Do they make a better rate by the month?

Poor twinnies twin–ies23! Their aunt's degree cost them some dear little dresses. I had to close apartment24 and leave New York on three days' notice and all my summer shopping and theirs went by the board. But someday they shall have some dresses from New York.

Lovingly Willie

Daddy and Elsie are both fine.

Mr. Roscoe Cather1 Lander3 Wyoming R[missing] NEBR.2 19[missing] [missing]