Second letter
Dear Lucile:

We have finished Chapter three (3) and we are delighted. It's an excellent job, surely! This is Monday and we will read a great deal more tomorrow. According to our schedule, we should finish just a day before you arrive, if your plan works out.

Lucile, this was worth waiting for. I do think you were actually growing into the task, and you've come a long way.

We are keeping a suggestion and error sheet separate from the MS. It is not at all formidable — just an occasional slip, maybe, or in rare cases, perhaps a misleading slant given to a fact. The corrections are certainly slight.

I'm worried a bit about the publisher.

We have noted your question marks.
Manufacturing costs are sky high, and your book is big. It is too good and too well planned to admit of serious cutting.

Do you have any publisher in mind — other than, possibly, Bruce Nicoll.?

I do hope the nature of your book does not change. Surely the period of the Cycle — and the rest — is of supreme importance in my history, and the significance of the achievement undoubtedly increases.

There was one time, several years ago, when when you seemed to fear the charge of "white-washing". So far this is not in evidence. Criticism is a search for value and it strikes me forcibly that your consideration of my lyrics is criticism. Further, you have not allowed the nothing-if-not-modern boys to bluff you.

Another fine reciting experience yesterday at a Sheldon Art Gallery tea. I was the nice old lion!!

They seemed hypnotized, as usual, by the recitation. Honest!

Love and congratulations!

— John N.
P. S.

I had a fine experience in Columbia two weeks ago. I recited my poetry to 1500 Junior High youngsters (Jefferson Junior) and they actually gave me six (6) standing ovations! It was thrilling.

This sort of thing happens very often — always with a sizeable audience. I give my programs by memore ​ altogether now.

Air Mail
LIN[COLN?] NB [?] PM 2[?] MAY 1969

Dr. Lucile Aly 1132 22nd Ave., East, Eugene, Oregon.