To Mimi Sutton [Letter 340]

May 23, 1948

Dear Mimi:

We were glad to hear from you as we were beginning to wonder what had happened to our nieces. And as I see, something pretty drastic has happened to one of them. I don’t know what to think of Docky’s marriage. Of course, as you say, it is strictly her own business, and if that is what she wanted, I hope she will be very happy. My regret is that she is rushing into motherhood too soon, but again that is her own decision. I do think that to be a mother at twenty is much too soon, but my attitude on motherhood is just about like yours. I think your statement about it in your letter was very sensible indeed.[*]

Frank and I are a little startled that Docky did not even let us know. I had a letter from her at the end of December, and since she was already married then, isn’t it strange that she did not want to mention it? Did she keep it secret from all of us because she felt certain that we would disapprove? Well, I cannot attempt to guess her reason, so I can only wish that it will work out for the best.

I am very glad that you liked the suede dress, and I can imagine that it is very becoming to you.

I don’t know when we will be back in New York, but I do know that it will not be this summer. You may have read in the papers that the picture of THE FOUNTAINHEAD is now going into production, and I am now back at Warner Bros. working on the final version of the screenplay. If all goes well, they will start shooting the picture on July 1. No cast has been selected so far, except Gary Cooper, who will play Roark—and I am delighted about it because he has always been my choice. He looks like Frank.

How did you find Archie Ogden in New York? If you see him again, give him my best regards.

Love from both of us to both of you,

*Sutton had written to AR that she couldn’t think of any good reason to have a baby, and she rejected the notion that one achieves immortality through reproducing oneself.