67.
1925:
Rapid City, Man. [November
1925]
Dear Phelps,
Ryersons sent me at last 7 copies of the
book. I've never had less than 12. However, I've inserted
one for you. I had, already, from Toronto, heard in a round-about
way that you were "doing" the review for the Saturday
Night.
Deacon's said to have said, "Phelps view of Grove's book
is a wonder".
All that will help.
The trouble is, though I'm up, I have the blues. But I can't
be in bed just now. In my usual restless way I've abandoned
the Daily Bread for the moment and am so exited about "Guilt" (is
that "a new one on you"? There are more behind) that I can
neither sleep nor work nor eat. I haven't read it for 10
years or so; and I seem to think that it, more fundamentally
than anything else, expresses what I have to express. The
Daily Bread seems stale compared to it. But never fear, I
am going to bury it in about a day or two and put the bushers
on again.
A good joke. I wanted a "motto" after that
thing and wrote on the fly-leaf of Vol. 2:
"It [?] in a tale
told by an idiot, full of sound & fury
Signifying nothing".
As it stands "it" can't refer to anything
but the book. The "idiot" is.who?
By the way, I wrote an answer to Pierce's letter - the one
in which he reproached me for the fact that the book does
not move and is "a disappointment", almost blaming me for
the F.P. review which has disconcerted the Ryersons, etc. - but
I did not send it. I shall want a month or so before I write
him again. I was on the point of sending you the answer,
but refrained.
What short story do you mean? La Grande Passion? That's
something quite out of your line. I believe: a mere experiment
in technique dear to my heart. I'll send it. I've sent Harper's
2 sketches from that bunch into which "Lost" belongs. I'll
enclose copies with the other Ms. I don't think you know
them? Entitled: "Water" and "The Teacher".
Well, thanks for your cheerful letter, and I'm very curious.
Don't delay when you find your reviews anywhere but glide
them along.
Yours,
F.P.G.
