2. 1923:
Rapid City, Man.
January 30, 1923
Dear Mr. Phelps,
Thanks for your recent letter
with enclosure. I am afraid it came just a little too late.
I don't know what the publishers are doing. But some time ago,
I believe, they wished to put out a folder advertising my book.
I understood, then, that you had written to them directly and
that they intended using a sentence or so from your letter.
But I am not sure about that either. In fact, I am very little
in touch with things. The "Drives" seem
infinitely far away. I have been with a cold since Christmas.
But I have nevertheless managed to remodel the first chapter
of the projected "Summer-Showers". There is one chapter in the
book which I do not like as it stands; but I seem to be unable
to get it into the shape I want it in. It is chapter V. You do
not say anything about the essays. From that I draw the conclusion
that you condemn them wholesale. So I feel altogether somewhat
despondent. The "Summer-Showers" have been lying about for years;
and now I believe I am going to withdraw them again.
I do not think after all that I'll publish another book next
fall. Publicity does not seem to agree with me. And I find it
exceedingly hard to do any literary work while I'm teaching.
I have all manner of plans, but they remain vague. Things don't
crystallize.
I hope you and the rest of my friends at Wesley College are
all well.
Yours sincerely,
F.P. Grove
