advice from edouard.

“The first thing you must do when you get home, before you take off your coat, is go to the kitchen and light the stove...  Next, fill a pot large enough to hold a quart of water.  Put it on the fire, cover it, and bring it to a boil.   What’s the water for? I don’t know, but it’s bound to be good for something…” 

edouard de pomiane [French Cooking in 10 Minutes - 1930]