I remember in the second set, when Miss Sutton led at three games to love, I said to the umpire as we crossed over, “I wonder, have I gone off, or is she playing much better?” But, of course, his face was like a mask; he didn’t vouchsafe a word.  Not that I expected him to speak, but I felt I simply must say something to some one.  He told me afterwards he wanted to say, “I don’t know; but stick to it whatever happens!” Concentration on the game in this match was terribly difficult, as the crowd was so huge and seemed so excited; it was almost impossible to forget the people and lose yourself in the game.  I can quite well remember a dispute going on in the open stand for quite a long time during the first set.  I think a lady would not put down her sunshade; there was quite a commotion about it.  And then people near would shout advice to me, or scream out, “It’s over!  Run!” This happened two or three times; and although I knew they were trying to help me, which in itself was cheering and encouraging, it was very distracting and disconcerting.  But after some time I lost it all, and became engrossed in the game.  I think in 1907 Miss Sutton was much steadier and played a better all-round game, but I do not think she had quite the same terrific fore-hand drive as in the first two years she was over here.  Her strokes were safer perhaps, but not so formidable and powerful.

[Illustration:  WIMBLEDON, 1906:  MISS DOUGLASS (NOW MRS. LAMBERT CHAMBERS) WRESTING THE CHAMPIONSHIP FROM MISS SUTTON, THE HOLDER.]

One of the great charms of playing in various tournaments is the means it affords of visiting all the different towns and countries.  It may involve considerable travelling and expense, but the touring abroad is both an education and a delight.  Monte Carlo, Nice, Cannes, Homburg, Baden-Baden and Dinard, all bring the pleasantest reminiscences.  Many of us have travelled about together, which is the jolliest way of doing the tournaments.  I remember one most enjoyable trip, when Miss Lowther motored the Hillyards and myself through Germany—­an ideal way of “doing” tournaments!  The place at which a meeting is held, its surroundings, also the facilities it offers for amusement in the evening after your day’s tennis is over, add to the enjoyment and make a material difference.  It will always be one of my chief delights, in thinking of my tennis career, to remember the hospitality and many courtesies I have everywhere received, and the many friends I have made, who I trust will remain friends long after my tennis is a thing of the past.

It is extraordinary how naive the general public sometimes are.  People will watch first-class tennis, sitting for hours together perhaps in great discomfort, and yet display a lamentable want of knowledge about the game.  In fact, to many its object is a mystery!  This seems hardly possible, but it is quite true.  I once overheard a lady who was watching a match in the centre court at Wimbledon remark, “There, that’s the very first time that man has hit the net with the ball, and he has had hundreds of tries!” I thought the man mentioned must be playing pretty good tennis!  One really wonders why these onlookers spend so much time round a court, or where the pleasure can come in for them.