.MTQzMg.MTIzODEy

45 Lexington Drive Croton-on-Hudson, N.Y. June 30, 1956 Dear Jack:

    You must have had a wonderful trip.  I am sorry you did not have time to call or look up my daughter in Berkeley.  She is teaching in the summer session and will be home for August.
    My day in Chicago was a memorable and enjoyable one, your regrets to the contrary nowithstanding.  I enjoyed seeing Nate and his charming and intelligent colleague and meeting Herman and Studs Turkle, and the others.  (I reported back to Shed Northshield, on the train, the other day who thinks highly of Studs as well as Herman.)  Miss Pound "loves" her enamel ash tray.  I'm sorry I didn't buy more, but have the address of the girls who make the stuff.
    The commencement was hot and dry.   I left Lincoln Tuesday (June 12) morning, and had a couple of hours that night in the Chicago heat wave, arriving home the next day at 6 p.m.   Miss Pound was in good form, though her memory is not what it used to be, and she and Mamie Meredith (who has your underlined:  Midland Humor ), her indefatigable Girl Friday, were most hospitable.  Karl Shapiro has joined the English department and will help with the underlined:  Prairie Schooner for a couple of years, then take it over from Wimberly.   (Wimberly is not well, a recluse, and I spoke to him only briefly on the telephone.)  Darryl Zanuck, another honorary degree-er, stole the show as favorite son from Wahoo, Nebraska.
   My book is in production and I expect galleys late in July.  Saw the jacket drawing yesterday, and it is a beaut.  Am keeping my fingers crossed about the book, however.  Pub date is Oct. 26.
   I haven't forgotten my promise to write an introduction for your Rosewood Casket.  Thought you might like the enclosed leaflet from the Salvation Army, Mt. Vernon, N.Y.  also the Algren story.
   My best to you and your wife, and thanks for your hospitality.  Hope you'll come this way some time soon, so I can reciprocate.

Faithfully, Ben

notes in pencil in lower, left and top margins

Herbert Halpert visited Vance recently & was given an old Colt revolver as a token of Vance's esteem. It is now thrilling his youngster and youngster's friends (This from Carl Withers) Halpert said that Vance is scraping the bottom of his "vast files" with two more books of tales to come from Columbia.