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after every appearance, Marian Talley had to come before the curtain six or seven times. In the evening, we heard "La Boheme" with Gigli and Bori and Scotti singing the principal parts. Gigli was the star of this performance and his voice too is indescribably wonderful. After "La Boheme" we heard "Cavalleria Rusticana" with Rosa Ponselle singing the part of Santuzza. Her voice is the most powerful I've ever heard in a woman. Can you conceive of a voice rising above a choras of a hundred voices and an orchestra of over a hundred pieces going at its height? Hers soared above all that; one might almost say far above it. I'm tempted to throw up my job and go and hear her sing "Aida" Wednesday night, the last night. Tonight is "Rigoletto" with Galli—Curci and we were sorely tempted to stay over but finally thought better of it. Well, Saturday was a day that will live forever in my memory! Can you say any more than that? ..... Mother considered it the greatest lark she's had in years and I know she enjoyed it to the very last moment. Burns and I spent yesterday touring the city, a wonderfully interesting city, I think. The last thing we did was go to a movie, "Stella Dallas," famous by repute. And it proved to be a fitting thing to round out our stay. I've seldom seen a more beautiful, more appealing or more powerful movie. It was almost in the same class as "Lucia" as regards excellence and it caused many a tear to roll down my cheek and many a lump to catch in my throat. Belle Bennett and Lois Moran as the mother and daughter, were perfectly wonderful. I shan't tell you the story because if you've not already seen it, you must the first time it comes to Louisville and I want you to see it as a new experience.

Erie, Pa.,
May 4, 1926.

This afternoon I went out to call on Lenore Sterrett before she leaves for New York. The day has been gorgeous! In the distance I saw the lake all lovely lightish—green near shore above the sand, melting away to dark—blue at the horizon. The sun was warm, the sky clear, the flowers blossoming, the trees becoming green again. My heart is still singing; I hope it will always sing. Lenore played for me -— Chopin, Schubert, Bach, Lehar. She is somewhat of a puzzle to me. She talks of great frivolities in New York, Newport, the Westchester—Biltmore, yachts, house—parties and all the rest. And yet she's no snob and loves the country -- jolly, killing sometimes, very frank, a "good egg," that type. I have "The Hounds of Spring" at last and am going to study it closely. I'm more anxious than ever to write something myself -— possessed with the idea and I feel I shall do it if only for my own satisfaction. Things are going wonderfully at the plant. I go off nights on June 1st, swapping with Christiansen. Vacation plans for June 26th are looking favorable. Time to go to dinner -- so much to say, so little time! Oh, me!