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#2641: Willa Cather to Alfred A. Knopf, September 10 [1931]

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K 9/14 B My Dear Alfred1;

My mother3 died in Pasadena4 on the night of August 30th. The telegram reached me next morning, Monday, several hours after the boat had left for St. Andrews5. As there was no boat out until Wednesday, I could not possibly have got to Red Cloud6 in time for the services7. I decided to stay on here2 and try to follow my usual course. I thought I was doing it, but I seemed to have muddled everything I touched. I sent you a telegram8 about the jacket, saying 'last sentence' of the Cross9 review10 when I meant 'last paragraph11'. I sent12 Miss Aaron13 the unrevised copy of "Mrs Harris"14 instead of the corrected copy. I think my head is working better now, and I have got back my sleep.

Mr. Preston's15 report on the suggested changes in text16 is perfectly satisfactory. Since he agrees with me, I think we need not bother about 'wracked' etc. But I do hope the change was made in the footnote17 on page 274, (where 1770 appeared for 1700 in the first edition,) has been made.

I am sending you a copy of my letter18 to Frere-Reeves19. It was a hard letter to write, and if I have made a mess of it, I think you ought to know.

I will be here until October 1st, anyway. I am astonished and delighted at the way the book is going, but I think you are more responsible than the book itself.

With my warmest thanks to you and all your helpers Willa Cather