74.
1925:
Rapid City, Man. 10 December, 1925
Dear Phelps,
I got home last night, feeling pretty tough. I am not badly
ill, though. So I enclose the copy of Kirk's letter to Fallis.
The town here had decided that I had left Mrs. Grove, claiming
May. Mrs. Grove had had sympathetic callers. Miss Ostenso's
story, widely circulated, had set expectation agog. Consequently
I made it a point to proceed on a progress through town this
morning. The effect was curious. I was stared at. I suppose
the Free Press page had something to do with it, though I
don't know. I have written to Sherwood Anderson. May will
write Mrs. Phelps, I suppose. I still feel that Daily Bread
will be all right. I shall get back to it by to-morrow, I
suppose, provided my cold does not get worse. The silence
with regard to the Settlers - of the part of those who received
author's copies - continues. But it no longer worries me.
I am done with that book, at any rate.
With regard to the Winnipeg trip, I want to repeat that
it did just what I wanted it to do. I managed to step away
from my manuscripts and get a critical survey. I have repeatedly
laughed about the Lodge. Stuart Sherman interests me. I agree
with much he says. However, I shall be plugging away again
in my own "cul-de-sac". That's all since I have said the
greater part of what I had to say while in the city. Don't
you forget to plug away at verse. Privation but makes soberer
to endure.
Yours,
F.P.G.
