1100 Grand Concourse
New York 56 New York

27 January


Dear Velma:

Have been for so many many months in hatefullly (not that hatefullllly) depressed and irritated mood � the great malaise of our time. Have been wanting to write to you, have � especially � wanted to hear from you. Which, as things go in this vale of tears, has practically been my reason for not writing to you (all this use of underlinings seems so early nineteenth century!)

Was, really, worried by something in your last letter or wire to Todd about eye operation. Please hasten to inform me that everything is all right, and that you are in good health physically and spiritually.

Remember my telling you about a short wave broadcast we did to France all about Morganville-Feves (through the facilities of the World Wide Broadcasting Foundation, WRUL)? Station was ever so pleased with it, and thought that the whole business ought to be done over again in French. Which we have just finished doing. A very pleasant fellow who does a weekly broadcast to France over WRUL (and a daily stint for the Voice of America), one Robert Franc, did a French version of the broadcast. And yesterday, with the help of some of the advanced French students at the College, we produced same. (I loved it, but I'm prejudiced.)

There were some things about the French translation that would have pleased you. First, Monsieur Franc was so impressed by the lines of your text that he translated them into the most elegant French poetry � I haven't got the darned thing at hand or I could show you what I mean. And he introduced little touches of his owns: according to him, when the summer dark has fallen on the fertile Kansas plain, the old people sit in their creaking rocking chairs, while the young people "inform themselves� about the history of Morganville, etc.

You would have been most delighted with what happened to the story of Helen Anderson. He thought that Bossy was a misprint for Bessy, the name of the cow. It appears that in France every cow is an individual and has a proper name of her own. Well, that seemed very charming to me, and I told Mr Franc that there was no reason why a cow shouldn't be called Bessy, although I cannot number among my cow acquaintances anyone answering to that name. Besides, it will sound American, and will have the right flavor to a Frenchmen. Most important, however, was what happened to Bessy when she ran away. I must tell you that according to the version which is now going to be believed by all the inhabitants of Feves, she got involved with a herd of wild buffalo ("des Bufles sauvages") Well, all I can say, is that if she didn't, she should have. Anyway, all good Frenchmen know, especially the citizens of Feves, that Morganville still suffers from occasional Indian raids, and there are undoubtedly scouts who keep their families (half-Indian) alive by their skill in shooting bison between the eyes at 500 yards.

Shucks, there's so much more to tell you about this French Program. For purposes of the record, tho, let me tell you this: a French broadcast, based on an earlier English broadcast, will be shortwaved to Europe on the second of February (Wednesday), at 3:15 EST, thru the facilities of WRUL (16, 19, 25 meters, whatever that means). Mr Franc has notified the Mayor of Feves, and a couple of newspaper people in Metz. Todd is notifying American Aid to France in Paris, and the Embassy.

A Mr. Robert Stanforth of UNESCO, whom I met here recently (during a visit of Mr Hedges of Wichita), has expressed great interest in these broadcasts and as soon as I can get transcriptions of them, he is going to play them for other UNESCO and some State Dept. people. (I have not forgotten that I made a promise about getting copies of same to you. Just give me time.)

Todd speaks of a to-do in Wichita soon. I believe he is planning to be there. You, too? Wish I could come. I have assured Todd that he must count that trip to Kansas lost which does not include a visit to Morganville, but there's a matter of a couple of hundred miles involved, isn't there?

I'm assuming that you have been receiving more coherent and informative letters from the Todd, at least I hope so; if not, I have the feeling that this all sounds very confused and senseless. I think you had better plan on a trip to Wichita for this UNESCO affair (in March?) and get a straighter story from Todd, or � happy thought � pick yourself up for a trip East soon. Spring in New York; Paris has nothing on us.

The death of prohibition in Kansas should be a good thing. I think hypocrisy is always bad � people end up by kidding themselves. I am sure that I don't have to warn you of the evils of drink. Let me simply remind you of the pleasures, of drinking, and urge you to take advantage of them!

(Just noticed with a pang that your letter, to which this is supposed to be an answer, is dated Sept. 26!)

The trouble is � dear Velma � that it's late at night, and I'm tired, and wish I were in the Bahamas or Cuba or Rio � or (if it's not too cold) in Kansas.

Yours,

(Signed) Robert