TLS: Thursday, April 22, 1920

Provincetown, Mass.
April 22, 1920.

My dear Madden:

I guess I didn't make my meaning clear when I told you in my last of submitting a draft to Williams. I didn't mean what is usually denoted a rough draft. I meant a version that I would keep elastic in my mind, open to suggestions for changes, and not a rigid, fixed affair. Also I anticipated when I wrote you last that I would be called from the work before I had a chance to go over it carefully. I thought rehearsals for "The Straw" would demand my presence in Boston. With these called off -- thank God! -- I have had plenty of time to get in some good licks on the "Gold" script and have gone over it with some care. I finished the play the day before yesterday but the two last acts have still to be typed. This I shall do in the immediate future and then come down to New York bearing the treasure. You can expect to see my shining countenance appear in your office the latter part of next week, I guess.

As for the play, I am still much too close to it to have any opinion about its merits that would be worth reading. One thing, at least, I am sure of: It is as intensely dramatic a thing as I have ever written and full to the brim with conflict. My wife thinks it the best since "Beyond" -- but then wives have some weird opinions. You will judge for yourself when you read it.

I hear the strike has handed an awful punch to the show business receipts. Is this so?

Has Williams let out any peep about foreign rights yet? The time for his option is due to elapse before very long, isn't it? I can't understand why he hesitates in this matter and wish he would come to some decision so we can know where we stand. In this connection, I've something to tell which may mean something. Barrett Clark wrote me that he had written Granville Barker to expect a copy of "Beyond' and wants me to send him one to the Garrick Club, London. He praised the play to Barker and thinks that although Barker is doing no producing at present if he likes the play he will put it in the hands of someone who will be interested. I think it would be good dope if you were to send him a book or script -- or instruct your London man to leave one at the Garrick Club for him. Clark, as you probably know, was Barker's manager when he toured over here some years ago and is also a great friend, so his word will carry weight. What do you think of this?

Tyler now has it in his mind to produce "The Straw" for one week at the end of the season. He doesn't say where or when. Have you heard anything about this?

With very best regards,

Sincerely,

Eugene O'Neill.