Mexico -- Description and travel; United States -- Description and travel
Jo Davidson and Paul Manship came down to my exhibition in Hugo’s car.
It was nice of them to come, sculptors are not as nice to each other in
England as those here have been to me. There seems to be a different
spirit here. I had a hectic time, wanting to talk to all my friends who
turned up.
I came home in time to dress and Jo Davidson called for me and took
me to the Manhattan Opera House. We had not time to dine. It was the
first time I had been to the opera since Moscow. The house was a full
one and very enthusiastic. The stalls seemed to consist mostly of alien
music-lovers, and for the most part not evening dressed. It was very
democratic and harmonious. I liked it.
Afterwards, Hugo fetched us and we went to Guardiabassé’s flat for
supper. He made the macaroni himself and I helped him. He sings and he
paints, and he seems to be a useful person to have about the house!
We were a noisy crew, and there were repeated requests from below that
we should make less noise! Which seemed to me curious for a studio
flat. An American party is always noisy. I can’t make out why one
should be unable to hear oneself speak. I think it is that they talk
in a key higher than we do. They have a great sense of camaraderie,
and when they get together to have a “good time” it is bewildering. I
wonder what they think of us? I should think they find us deadly.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1921. _New York._
It suddenly started to snow last night and this morning it was inches
deep. Dick was delighted. Hugo Koehler took us to lunch at the St.
Regis opposite, and on our way back Dick stopped to dig with an old
woman who was shovelling away the snow from in front of her house. I
watched them for a few minutes, and the old woman said to Dick, “My!
You’ll be a help to your Daddy some day.” Dick, in a perfectly matter
of fact voice said, “I haven’t got a daddy, he’s killed.” “O-h--,” said
the woman, “in that terrible war I suppose?” “Yes,” Dick answered, “in
that war--and we haven’t won anything by it either....” It sounded
uncanny in the mouth of a five-year-old. Finally I left him there
shovelling and his face was gloriously pink. Louise could survey him
from the window, and Hugo and I got down to the “Numesmatic” on the
subway. It was the first time I had travelled on it, and I was amused
to see that the “Do not Spit,” order was written in three languages.
One of course being Italian, and the other Yiddish!
To-night I have had my first evening at home. I resolutely refused to
go to the supper party I had accepted at Mrs. W.‘s. Hugo wanted me to
go, but I would not. I made him keep his dinner engagement and I dined
with Louise. We each had an egg and a cup of coffee. It was heaven, and
I went to bed early.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1921.
Griffin Barry fetched me and took me to lunch in Washington Place at a
strange below-ground place where we had excellent Italian food. There
was Mary Heaton Vorse, author of “Men and Steel,” and Kenneth Durant.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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