78. 1926:
Rapid City, Man.    January 3, 1926

---

Dear Phelps,

Sorry that it must have appeared as if I stampeded you or others by wiring about Jessie Forrest. The reason was that I had been ill in bed up till yesterday. She had called three times, once before Christmas. But yesterday was the first time she found me up; and she had ten miles to come in. Well, I advised her today to take a year for the course, as the registrar advised. I am sorry for the poor girl. She wants to get somewhere, intellectually.

Otherwise no news. Sherwood Anderson wrote me that he will try to find time to read my book next summer; meanwhile he is too busy cruising the Gulf of Mexico.

Lucie at last also acknowledged the Settlers. She has a few fine remarks about Wild Geese. She has "flair" you know.

I am reading a most remarkable book "Beyond Life" by Cabell, give me by Woodhouse. I am quite exercised over parts of it. Other parts bore me. But altogether stimulating as pose. Exceedingly well written. It will never do as a theory of art as athletics. But it is diabolically clever. Besides, Cabell has all I lack, the facility to bring into play a vast erudition, and to twist things into subservience to his "hypotheses directrices".

Well, this is only the second time I am up since middle of December; I still feel weak and dizzy; but I hope I have weathered it once again.

Yours,
F.P.G.