'Lilian Desmond, a beautiful golden-haired English painter, married twice, both husbands killed in the War. It seems to her as if all hope and joy are ended forever. She comes out to New Zealand in search of a new world to paint. She has renounced love and has turned to art as her only solace. She stays in the home of the Ewings, mother and son, whom she takes to be poor, simple people.' (Australian Women's Weekly, v1:6, 1933 p. 7)