53.
1925:
Rapid City, Man. June 18,
1925
Dear Phelps,
My first impulse with regard to Equal
Opportunities - which
for the time being I have definitely laid aside - was to
say, no no! I don't think it's at all in a shape to be read
by anyone. I seem to see possibilities in it. It will have
to come down to half the bulk of which is about half its
original bulk. It has neither shape nor so far. But I thought
I could get that by next winter. Now that which I call "Our
Daily Bread" has engrossed me. I don't
seem to concentrate on Len and his troubles.
I'll tell you how the book arose: begun
in 1916 or thereabout, the whole thing - without any thought
of flaw, chronology etc. ... into it instead of forming the
foundation. Next I typed it all, leaving many episodes aside
and underlining the psychology of the [characters] which
was contained in the older form, but more scattered. While
I kept typing I seemed to be overwhelmed with certain things - especially
the last part. I inserted a few little things which seemed
to be called for. But most I left out, left out, left out.
This conflict between belated studies and the sexual instinct
falls flat.
When I read it again, I found that I did
not respond. Connections are broken. The chronology is all
awry. The psychology is pointless - f.i., Len's sudden turning
away from his studies when draying in the city. Some of the coarser sexual things have become brutal, unjustifiable.
I gave it the Mrs. Grove: she said she did not respond.
Well, I'll send it to you. Just to see what you say. But
please read it as a mere draft - as notes jotted down for
a book rather than as a book that is finished: it isn't finished;
it isn't begun yet. But perhaps you'll be interested in this
look into the workshop.
"Our Daily Bread" has, for me, the attraction
that there is quite a bit of humor in it. It's not even as
far advanced as the "Opportunities". But there is the steady
unfolding of an old man's character in it: I used to call
it "Lear
of the Prairie". It swarms with characters: scores of them:
it has the diversity of life; and it is not founded on pioneer
circumstances. I am sorry I did not type it instead of "Opportunities",
for I believe I am quite committed to it now. I shall take
it along into the holidays. And I take 3 120-page scribblers
to transfer it into ink, sitting in any tent on some Sask.
hill. It is a Sask. book, anyway, with a Manitoba small-town
background and an outlook into the Alberta foothills.
One more word re "Opportunities" - The Ms. swarms with typing
mistakes. Since I've laid it aside, I have not had the time
to work it over pencil in hand. Please don't hand it about
in this shape.
Pierce writes to assure me that I shall
still "find myself
settling down and enjoying an opulent age." Well, I don't
care about myself; but I'd like the show Mrs. Grove a bit
of the world: some ancient cities and the sea. And I'd like
to have a house of my own; and to be able to turn my back
on this town. After all, Mrs. Grove is the real author of
my works - I could never have written, though I sketched
a good deal, if she had not kept the wolf from the door meanwhile.
Well, it's a go. I'll send you that Ms.
As for the title, Pierce writes that it is all settled:
Settlers of the Marsh.
Yours,
F.P.G.
We are in the throes of getting ready for the motor trip
west. Address from July 1 st : PALMER, SASK.
