TLS: Wednesday, October 29, 1919

Provincetown, Mass.
Oct. 29, 1919.

My dear Madden:

Your letter with the text of the Williams' agreement reached me this afternoon. It seems to me quite satisfactory and the best that can be hoped for under the circumstances. I realize what a damnable jamb there is for theatres this year. Tyler wrote me last week telling me practically the same thing, and saying that there was small hope of getting the right New York theatre for "Chris" until after the holidays. So I can imagine how Williams must be up against it.

The people who made an inquiry were the Theatre Guild. They wrote asking for a play, hinting that they had been led to suspect "Beyond" might be available for submission to them.

I sincerely hope you do not think any part of my impatience was directed at you -- because it wasn't. Neither was I sore at Williams for his present inability, which I knew was not all his fault by any means. But I was -- and always am -- peeved because he will never get down to cases and say definitely what he will or will not do. He ought to realize that I, too, have my plans to make which depend in a great measure on his, and when he sticks to that mystery policy he holds up my work and everything else. I simply can't plan ahead a day. For instance, in the present case I haven't know whether to continue my lease of this house, to order coal -- well, you're a family man yourself and you know all the irritating details I'll omit. Only you don't really know because you don't live in the heatless country. And, not knowing what moment I might be called away, I've been afraid to start a new long play -- "Gold" -- which I've been wanting to get down to business on for the past two months. Williams dilatory policy has cost me at least a month's work this fall when he might just as well have signed this agreement a month ago; for he must have known then that conditions would hold up his earlier plans.

Now with two months or so clear ahead, I'll get right to work on the play.

I had my own little personal experience with John D. before I shifted the burden to your shoulders, so I know all about that horse-and-water stuff. I can easily suspect the trouble you've been through to rope him down, and I'm very grateful to you that the affair has wound up as satisfactorily as could be under the circumstances.

Tyler in his letter again promised to read "The Straw" at the earliest possible moment.

With very kindest regards,

Very sincerely yours,

Eugene O'Neill.