AT BEDSIDE

Evening Star, Issue 19952, 23 August 1928, Page 5

AT BEDSIDE

MISS PONDER READ MSS

DAME CLARA TIRED. LONDON, August 9. Dame Clara Butt’s’secretary, Miss Wade, admits that the manuscript ol her memoirs which contained the offending passage “ Sing ’em muck, it’s all they understand,” attributed to Dame Nellie Melba, wore read over to Dame Clara by the author, Miss Win! (’red Ponder, but declares that it was just at bedtime, and the famous contralto was too tired to listen carefully. Miss Wade declares that Damn Clara Butt is most concerned about the imhappv misunderstanding that has arisen. Miss Wade added that Damn Clara was anxious for heel when the memoirs were read, but she formed a general impression. “ There are many things which must be altered. Yon can’t publish the bi»)k as it stands,” she told Miss Ponder, who assured her that it would be thoroughly revised before publication. It was then arranged that Miss Ponder should go to India with the singer and her husband, Mr Kenncrlcy Rum ford, thus enabling Dame Clara to have an opportunity of looking over the proofs. The proofs, said Miss "Wade, were late in arriving, and Miss Ponder was obliged to leave the party at Bombay, so Dame Clara did not see the proois. “Wo waited till Urn last possible moment,” she said. “ I understand that the proofs were forwarded to Miss Ponder at Singapore. Dame Clara would herself have the manuscript if she was not positive that she would see the proofs ” Miss Wade added that it had been arranged to recall all unsold copies and delete the offending passage from future editions.