I’m expecting you both to visit me here next summer. Plenty of room for you--and you’ll be sure to relax. I bought some wonderful snow shoes with some of Otto’s money and so I pray for heavy storms. --/--/ PART THREE West Indies-Europe (1926-1930) 1926 225: TO MALCOLM COWLEY [_Patterson_] _Jan 3rd_ Dear Malcolm: The poem[41] has been read with approval--is flatteringly apocalyptic and has the proper nautical slant.... Seriously, though, it seems to stand on its own feet as a poem and I appreciate a very great deal the tonality and direction of it in its more intimate aspects. You and Peggy [Baird] have been more than good in remembering me--thanks for the photo, too. --/--/ Are you reviewing _Doc. Transit_ anywhere? Schneider finally sent me out a copy. It intrigued me more than any such tour de force since Poe, though it has its obvious weaknesses. Some chapters, however, of great imagination. I didn’t anticipate half so much from the earlier things I’ve read by Schneider. I’m coming in town probably about two weeks from now, and should like to know what day or days about that period you’ll be there also. You know what the Governor of North Carolina said to the Governor of S. Carolina--! I’m such a rum-scallion that I never even planned to stay put anywhere very long in the woods. Let me hear from you soon. --/--/ 226: TO HIS GRANDMOTHER _Patterson_ _Jan. 5th ’26_ Dear Grandma: I was sorry to hear from Grace yesterday that you have been undergoing more pain and illness--and I only hope that this finds you MUCH improved. I wish I could be near you--and have a long talk. We certainly will manage that when I come out to Cleveland next spring. Yesterday I finally got started into my _Bridge_ poem--really the first full day I have [had] for the work since arriving. And from now on I hope to have the necessary inspiration to keep steadily at it. One really has to keep one’s self in such a keyed-up mood for the thing that no predictions can be made ahead as to whether one is going to have the wit to work on it steadily or not. It is fine to get somewhere where I can sleep soundly again. I’m beginning to feel very much rested. I’m so glad that you both are located in a place where there is nothing more to do than to care for your personal comfort. --/--/ 227: TO HIS MOTHER _Patterson_ _Jan. 7th_ Dear Grace & Grandma: --/--/ There isn’t much news--only the good news (to me!) that I’ve been at work in almost ecstatic mood for the last two days on my _Bridge_. I never felt such range and symphonic power before--and I’m so happy to have this first burst of substantiation since I had the good luck to be set free to build this structure of my dreams. I sent New Year’s greetings to Kahn and in the mail today comes the most cordial answer--wishing as he puts it, “that you will prove yourself a master builder in constructing _The Bridge_ of your dreams, thoughts and emotions.” --/--/ 228: TO WALDO FRANK