Yesterday, Good Friday, I finished the youth section of my autobiography ending with the burning of The Divine Enchantment. in 1902. It is a complete book of 300 pages, and Bruce is eager to read it. He spoke last of bringing the book out this coming fall.
I went ahead after reading your letter of October 26th, in which you said I must not trouble about any duplication in your biography or my autobiography. You declared you were "totally, thoroughly delightedly glad" about my memoirs etc. I must not worry about possible "conflicts." That letter reassured me, and I plunged headlong towards the completion of my task. It's a good book, Lucile, and I'm 90 years old. Since you feel as you I am free to go on with the book, and I am hoping to do this.
I've just recovered a sweet note from Stewart in which he says you have told him the book (yours) is coming out and I am left wondering who will publish it. — And you promised to send the whole MS, which has not arrived. In fact, I've felt cut off from you.
Do tell me all I need to know and very much want to know.
I do love you, and I am no end eager for your book. I know it is a whale!
Old Stan is reading the microfilm of your speech dissertation. He writes to me about it. "John," he says, "Lucile can write." Of course, you can.
My MS is almost complete — only 20 pages left to copy.
John Gaki
Love to Bower too.
Myrtle has just read your wonderful last chapter again. We had not seen it since our first reading in December.
It is perfectly bully, and I recall saying so in a letter at the time. We have not yet seen the whole MS, but I have perfect faith in it, and need not see it all at once in complete form
Golly! What a book you've done!
But I do want to know about your thoughts and efforts regarding another publisher than Bruce.
We need to be up-to-the minute together on this matter.
Black Elk is selling on both sides of the Atlantic, and is approaching a real run-away sale. Over 35000 are sold in America alone, and they have a hard time keeping books in stock. The other books sell too. The Cycle has done over 11000 with no promotion whatever — etc etc.
The Youth section of my autobiography is not conventionally biographical! You mention and talk about matters that are the stuff of musing for me. It's so different, and yet they coincide.
Write me and make me gladder and gladder.
John the Gak.
What shall I do?
J. N.
