Coombe cottage is a dear old slate-roofed house... Melba's bedroom opened out into the garden with her bureau at the doorway and her bed so placed that on the one day of the week she spent in bed she looked out upon the tree-shaded lawn.

It was pleasant to see this great woman relaxed in bed and I was always glad to be there on those days and would sit beside her and chat about the garden or anything else she would prefer.