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

The young Englishman, Prof. Summerfield, came to see me yesterday afternoon, and he brought cheering first-hand news from you! It was a happy shock! And the report was as it should be!! Bully!

This is another "coincidence" (It is not; it's one of my "patterns") We here had been reading aloud the book entitled Ishi, about the now extinct Yana Indians of Northern Calif. So, along with the young Englishman, who had actually seen and talked with you in the flesh, came another nice young Professor, Homer Duerr(?) who lives at Chico, Calif.., the locality of Ishi! He knew the country and illuminated the book somewhat for us. There's one hour(!) of the "coincidence," if truly a "coincidence" has [hours?]! (Has it?) Here is the other hour (still, providing "coincidences" have not only one hour, but even two. While I was in bed at the hospital someone brought young Summerfield to see me, & he knew about sea-chanties (knowledge I needed) Then he goes out to Eugene, and comes back to report!

There's a [tiemp?] there that is certainly a bit remarkable. I had been thinking much of you, and the book and your lives.

After an afternoon with the young professors I went back to your

precious letter of leter of December 31 last; and now both you and Ishi have come into sharp focus.

I am older than I used to be, and am still getting older. I want to live to see your book in print and my "autobiography". I need to see you & renew the old relationship.

Several people have read the 40000 words of my opus, and I've seen them cry and heard them laugh. What a combination your book, with mine as supplemental!

We are looking forward to reading the MS here! Very eager.