Stone Ridge,
Ulster County,
New York,

14 February, 1934

Dear Gertrude,

I haven't seen you for years and years, but a
short time ago I had a letter from Mr. Austin, telling me of
your opera, Four Saints in Three Acts, to be performed in hart-
ford. So I at once made up a party of Frances Lillie (my sister)
and my niece, and her boy friend, Ellen and myself, and we all went
up to hartford to see it.

I have never before cared for negroes, but I think
they are the only people in the world who could have done this
thing for you. Their rhythm, their unconscious/-- their complete
lack of self consciousness -- had all the tremendous charm of
something we dont understand. The whole thing seemed to be more
like music than music itself. The repeating of the phrases was
done by different groups in a most interesting way, like a fugue
or counterpoint. Your words were more like music -- one thing
after the other. The repeatings were the most interesting thing,
and were done beautifully by these people with their rich voices.

The setting was very interesting in its simplicity,
and the clothes were beautifully done. The whole thing was a com-
plete whole, with no discord anywhere.

Mrs. Lillie wants to say that the negroes contribution
was so distinctive and beautiful. You are very wonderful to real-
ize that only they could have handled the beauty of your phrases.

It is going to be done again in New York next week,

TELEPHONE
NORTH 2726

2915 DUMBARTON AVENUE
WASHINGTON 7, D. C.

19th March, 1945

Dear Gertrude,

Em says to tell you that she hasn't enjoyed a book in years as much as she enjoys this last one of yours-- we are all crazy about it. Em's nephew, Billy Walton, read it through at a sitting and says it is the best book on the war he has ever read. So this is just to tell you how delighted we all are.

Em's nephew is War Correspondent for Time and Life.
He dropped from parachute into France a few hours before the invasion.
We only learned your address two days ago from Whittemore -- who was
coming through Washington. So -- Em told Billy to go to see you -- he
is on his way back -- to Luxembourg -- and she says he is one of the
nicest boys that ever lived.

It was grand to hear about you and Alice from Whittemore. Em has a small house in Washington, and spends a few months of the winter here. Then she goes back to Stone Ridge which she loves. I also have a house in Washington and go to Em for most of the summer. Except that age is slowing us down physically we are much the same. I was in the midst of a description of ourselves when Em came in and said to tell you that Billy may have to go directly to Luxembourg without stopping in Paris. But if he does reach Paris he will go to see you. The Time-Life headquarters is on the Quai Voltaire.

Em's friend, Guerin de Beaumont, is Consul-General in New York. Henri, with seven or eight children, is near Blois. Some parachuter dropped into Henri's garden one day and asked him what relation he was to Guerin de Beaumont in New York.

We can't tell you how pleased we were to hear from Whittemore that you are both safe and well. Em has a small completely equipped cottage at Stone Ridge, which is yours whenever you want to