Letter from Sinclair Lewis to Marcella Powers, May 7, 1942

              SINCLAIR   LEWIS  Excelsior  Thursday, May 7    There can be no question that Micella approaching this chateau, suit case in hand, is the greatest work of emotional art since El Greco.    You speak of the Volunteer Farm Workers of America.  I imagine it’s the same as the (officially named) Volunteer Land Corps.  And do you know who founded that?  Your aunt Dorothy, in conjunction with some young Jew!  By one of those coincidences that also happen in real life only can scarce believe them I received the enclosed invitation regarding this noble but undoubtedly doomed-to-failure show just today.  The red mark on the bak [back] indicate that Jews don’t make the very best of philanthropists, only that most of them are pretty urban rather than agricultural, and that the sponsors seem pretty unbalanced in proportion.    Is there any chance that Raeph will play Jason at Petersboro?    Yes, it seems sensible to re-lease your apartment.  It’s a darling. And, yes, do bring out any duplicate records you have.  Isn't there a dupe of the Beethoven Vth, maybe of the VIIth? I have the 2nd, 3d, 4th, and 8th.    I've been plodding steadily at work, but also I've been in town for dinner with the publisher of the Tribune, John Cowles, and with William McCally of that paper, who is an old friend, and whose young wife, Lois, you'll like a lot -- maybe better ‘n anybody you'll meet out here (possibly excepting myself).  And last evening I went in and did a fine exhibitionist talk to 8998 young ladies and 21/4 young men from Hamline University  -- a good talk -- it always has been. And all the young fimeks looked yearningly up at me and thought how bright and helpful I was, and two of them claimed I was their grandfather….which wasn’t true a bit….I don’t think it was….And the birches, so silvery, and the maples and elms, so young and green of leaf, stand out against the gay sunny lake as I write and think of you.    Volunteer Farm Worker 6#aJ259B6  Dirty or Ground Vegetable Div.  Spinach Section,  Battery B.