Across the Spectrum:The Interdisciplinary Life and Letters of John G. Neihardt (‘Flaming Rainbow’)

Of course it is going to be good! I know this, and I am humbly grateful that you have given yourself to the Pattern. I admire you as a mind, and I love you as a person, dear, dear lady!

Yes, yes I must see you this summer, and it will be good to go over the MS together. There will be little errors here & there, This could not be avoided, and I want to help. Mona had a glorious natural voice (high soprano) and she had had some excellent training with a great teacher, whose name I forget, in Paris. She could well have made singing a career. I will say more when I see you. Hilda has inherited her quality and volume. I not sure you ever heard Hilda at her best. She is most effective.

I am to "sing poetry" in Lincoln on June 6th - the Alumni Congress. As you see, by the enclosed, I'll be on with Chancellor Hardin.

I have too many engagements coming on soon. I always say "yes", and the first thing I know I'm too busy. But if it gives pleasure, it must be good; and people do act as though they were happy.

A Dr. Shabharani B asu of Benares University, India, has been lecturing here on our Asia series. She has come to see me, and we "clicked". She is, of course, a lady, and I'm sure, very learned. But she wants Gaki to come to Benares University and live in the "Guest House". So, if I go, I'll be in Pondicherry, New Delhi, and Benares, at least.

Hilda took her bar examination, but will not hear the result until April 27th. She told me that, altho' she had the flu & considerable fever, she would bet a thousand dollars she'd pass. I said " And I'll add a thousand, & we'll all make a little money!" If she doesn't pass it will be comical, considering who does pass commonly. There is a second examination in August It's a tough exam, I'm told.

I've just heard that my library will be taken on April 15th. It will be a bit like a funeral when the books are packed & hauled away.

Yes, do use my lovely road whenever you need it! I love to have you use it. But please don't waken my precious sleeping buffaloes!

I am looking forward to the summer more than ever before.

If Fulbright comes through decently, I must go to India As you say, it is "right" that I should go. In some ways I'll be visiting my ancestral spiritual home. They believe so much that has given me strength and a sense of glory.

This Dr. Basu is known as "the woman mystic of India". She says it will be easy to get me in intimate touch with "gurus", illuminated men. I do want to sit at their feet.

Also, I want to find some good raw sapphire and ruby, so that I can make a few beautiful things to give away.

(By the way, I've been looking at a necklace of ivory and amber that I have. In my will it is given to you from Mona & me. The pendant is a finely carved ivory rose. It will be so pretty on your neck. But maybe, if I go to India, I may be able to make a beautiful ruby or sapphire ring for you to wear when I am gathered to my fathers "among the kings and counselors councillors of the earth who made desolate places for themselves" - or words approximately to that effect. But howsoever, I do hold you very dear, Lucile.

I live here at Skyrim with Lassie (the collie) and my cats. There are a dozen horses also; and I think I told you of my recently purchased Hackney fillies - two of them, & both especially small - which is desireable. I'll marry them to my Lockburn Lucifer, and we'll have some darling little Hackneys in a year from now. Lassie is almost a person. She looks after me after her fashion.

Pet Perky for us. She too is a "people" - if that's a complement, and it certainly can be.

I was so glad to hear from you - We'll plan on a summer session with the MS.

Bower gave a group of us a lovely luncheon at the Daniel Boone. Bless him.

Affectionate regards to old man Stewart!

I'm eager to see the Focus article. Bower says you were limited to 150 words. I do appreciate your doing the article. Along with everything else you do.