Dear Waldo: Just a word to say I have finished my first reading of your _Spain_. It is a book I shall go back to many times. Its magnificence and integrity are so rare that they constitute an embarrassment to our times in some ways. “The Port of Columbus” is truly something of a prelude to my intentions for _The Bridge_--which I seem to have got back to today after a hideous experience in New York and in spite of a very bad cold I seem to have caught from overheated city buildings. I can’t resist sending you the first verse[46] at this early time, along with the revised version of the finale. Your discipline and your confidence are so dear to me that in moods like this today (adrift a music that is almost a burden) I have to be a little uncontained and remind you of my love. Will send the Kahn article next week when a fresh copy arrives.... Temporarily--Don Cristobal-- 237: TO MALCOLM COWLEY [_Patterson_] _March 28_ Dear Malcolm: The news of your plans for the summer is good to hear! We’re all anticipating the first of May--though you _will_ be a little distant. Five miles walking says Mrs. Turner, coming out of her aunt’s part with the tea. After a perfect spasm of sentiment and “inspection” I was released from the fond embrace of my relatives in Cleveland--only to fare into rather more than less spasmodic embraces in N.Y.--a one night spree--on my way back. Since which I have been reading the philosophies of the East until I actually dream in terms of the Vedanta scriptures. Also am finding Marco Polo pleasant to incorporate in the subconscious. I’ve often wondered how you got home that night. After you left I was roused from my stupor by an amazing scandal at the next table. Benét, Wylie and some others discussing ---- who, it seems, doesn’t write at all. Her father does the trick--works off “suppressed desires” that way, etc., etc. I was very good after that and stormed over to the Albert, lectured the clerk for not admitting my friends, and went to bed, tout seul. The next morning after the next I was discovering that my mother knows how to mix the best cocktails I ever drank. Are you going ahead with the Boyd proposal? I think you should--a fine weapon against further attacks from that gent. again--and not, however, implying any concession whatever on your part. --/--/ 238: TO HIS MOTHER _Patterson_ [_March 29, 1926_] Dearest Grace: Your letter came yesterday. And I was _immensely_ glad to hear from you. Altogether, the news seemed good, too, and I’m _so_ glad you and Charles [Curtis] have made a definite decision! By _all_ means make The Little Church the scene. Then I can be there and we can all take a bus ride afterward. Of _course_ you’ll be acceptable--who ever heard of such distinctions being made in any Protestant church against widows and widowers, grass or otherwise! Then maybe you could make my humble domicile one of the stops on your celebration.