ALS: Thursday, July 17, 1919

Provincetown, Mass.
July 17, 1919.

My dear Madden:

Your letter arrived this morning. You make no mention of "The Straw" in it which is a surprise to me. It seems strange if Williams has not brought up the matter with you after the emphatic letter he wrote me. Naturally I am extremely anxious for some word about that play. What Williams might decide about it would alter cases as regards his request for an extension on "Beyond The Horizon". If he promised to put on "The Straw" this fall instead of "B.T.H.", the extension would sound more plausible. As to the question of what part of the money should eventually be deducted, I should advise you to feel him out about it and see what he might be willing to do. I will leave this whole matter up to you from now on. Go right ahead and make the best arrangement you can with him and I shall do whatever you advise. I would be quite willing to grant the extension if Williams would prove he meant business -- if I was sure the play would go on. After the way he has flivvered in all his plans up to date, I should think he might understand my doubts and come to life with some evidence that he is arranging a production.

Did you give the extra copy of "The Straw" to the Theatre Guild people? Will you kindly let me hear just what you are doing with that play at present? You can't know how wrought up I am about it's prospects.

With very best regards,

Very sincerely yours,

Eugene G. O'Neill.