Wednesday – 

Dear Rølvaag : – 

Saxton is right, of course, it is a business matter, and that is the way it’s run. In fact, your books could not be published any sooner, as the publishing business is at present organized – so there you are. I am rather glad, in a way, for it will give plenty of time for everything – I presume you will have to pay attention to the translation of the second volume for the first part of the summer; no stone must be left unturned to harm that done by the first of July – Thus you will be reasonably free. I don't see why you cannot take a vacation in August, and have your proofs come to the camp in the north woods. But that is your business. 

Your letter about vision of war touched me deeply. I am glad you saw what I tried to put in it. It was written in the winter of 1914-15, in a spirit of revolt against our unpolitical analysis of the European wars – that was while we still held ourselves to be neutral – Curiously enough, it was received almost with acclaim, for a short while – but the growth of the war spirit here and the swift progres of events, soon swamped it. 

My life, I suppose, has only been tragic because I have made it so. I appreciate all that you say, good friend – and really, I am trying my very best. I have no doubt of my powers – but life has neither knocked the wind out of me – you see me at a bad ?, but it will be better pretty soon. I am writing every day and all day ? a resource which I am trying to finish before the summer, but it goes slowly. I feel as if I were carrying heavy stones up a mountain side – I am lonely and homesick – and I need a woman beside me – The woman is ready, but I cannot swing the deal financially. That worries me terribly, too. – and there is my daughter, who is also homesick and unhappy. A girl is terribly lost without a mother – My own mother and sister are so cold! Without emotions, they do not understand. It’s all wrong, somehow. My daughter is the very breath of life to me, and I have ? saddened and hurt this winter beyond expression – and I haven’t the strength of practical ? to solve the situation! These are the things I think about all the time – 

Now I must get to work. Be sure and write me any work you have of the translation – 

Yours, 

Colcord