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Correspondence from Leah Hirsig to Charles Stansfeld Jones
Villa Santa Barbara, Cefalú, Sicily
June 24, 1920.
Dear 777,
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
A.C. has gone off for a nobody knows how long trip to Tunis. Before going, he left enough work for me to do to keep me out of mischief. Among the pleasurable of these commissions is writing to you. That is worth at least 50 lire. Send check to Banca Commerciale Italiana, Palermo. Thanks.
Now to business. When A.C. left Detroit, or rather when he reached N.Y., he found that his set of proofs for Equinox Vol. 3, No. 2, was missing from his wardrobe trunk. He doesn't know whether he forgot to pack them (he is so susceptible to red hair—we are all henna blonds here). He wrote to Ryerson [Albert W. Ryerson] about it but the "lousy thief" did not answer him. He may have lent them to Bowman or you yourself may have them. He must have a complete and perfect copy of these proofs, as he doesn't remember now what was in them. If necessary, please send on your own set.
He is very disappointed never to have heard from you that an arrangement had been made with Hanson [William Hanson]. He will write himself in a few days when and if he returns form Africa.
Our baby [Poupée] is the funniest looking thing you ever saw. In fact she looks more like a combination of yours truly and me than like her real father, whoever he may be. But she is wide awake and cute. She is as thin as I am, if you can recall so painful a spectacle. We are hoping that her brother may make up for her as far as beauty and build are concerned. The "colony" is busy getting uniforms in order while the Father Confessor is away. I, Mother Superior, am disciplining the whole Shimbang, especially the French governess, who is being weaned and who is making a fuss over it. Little does she know what is in store for her, if Africa matures. But of course this last paragraph is plain "PUSSY CAT."
Will I be glad to see Russell [C. F. Russell]? You bet. A colony should really have more than one resident male and Russell's smiling face delights the soul I haven't got and nearly makes me forget my position as Mother Superior. If you can hustle Mrs. Van Brunt or someone a little older than myself along, I might have a chance as one of the Younger Whores. Do that little thing for me—I haven't very much more time before my hair turns white even under the henna.
Your letter arrived the day A.C. went away.
Ninette [Ninette Shumway] (that's the F.[rench] G.[overness]) sends her love to you and says that she is exceedingly anxious to see whether the poetry A.C. wrote about you is true.
Love is the law, love under will.
31-666-31. [Leah Hirsig]
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