79. 1926:
Rapid City, Man.    January 4, 1926

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Dear Phelps,

I rather expected to find something about you on the book page to-day; and I was not disappointed. It all goes to illustrate that book-reviewing is indeed a gay business. Don't worry. I've often wondered how a woman like Mrs. Macdonald can write the books she does write: not that those books may not have their readers who profit from them: I have found that out. But how a woman who judges so accurately can stand writing that stuff. For she does have a remarkable scent . Well, she is of your opinion altogether. She says:

"I do not think it (Wild Geese) is as good as your book by a long chalk. The character of Caleb Gare is well-drawn, but the whole book, written, of course, with an eye on the silver screen, is on a cheaper plane.The character of Amelia is not natural. I do not think a woman would sacrifice all her other children to the one to whom she is a stranger . The love scenes of the book are common-place." Etc.

Now all this is neither here nor there. But I know that every little bit helps.

I am only sorry that you should have got yourself into this row over me. But, dear me, don't get exited. What else could Roberton do? Note that he says really nothing. He has you on Morgan Powell (re W.G.); but what does that amount to? Morgan Powell, as a name - I don't know him as an entity, literary or otherwise - surely outshines Mr. Ferguson's own page. To me, this thing has become enormously humorous. To see little Mr. Ferguson battling against the powers that be - quite irrespective of what I may think these powers myself.

"What sells a book?" Lang asked and answered, "Dissension!"

Now, if you want my opinion, rest your lance! Conquer that thing with a smile. We'll have a laugh over it the next time I'm in.

And there you are.Yours,
F.P.G.