i first met miss lee at veronique's home, gregory's wife.r had just rolled in on the train, because she would not fly, she had her bits and pieces -- charlie: long ago when the book came out and the movie was main, their friendship continued into their old age? ben: yes. charlie: in a -- ben: yes, in a beautiful, rare and special way. the way that veronique and harper got on, it was beautiful to watch. the way she got on with the grandkids, harper and ondine, it was something special to see. harper pulls in, and it is a celebration. everyone is around a table like this. veronique would hold these suppers that you couldn't believe it. you would be at the table with spike jones, sydni pontiac, -- sidney poitier. you can't imagine it. i worked with the blind boys of alabama, so we had an obama connection. she said, the next time that i see you, yoou have to sing for me. we made that pilgrimage to alabama for me to sing. miss alice even showed up. she thought we were bible salesman and she was ready to chase us off fist and cane. charlie: [laugh