Saturday, September 28:
R. had a better night, he works on his library, and I tidy up the papers! Lunch at one o’clock, always with the children.
After lunch R. receives a telegram; he says it is from Lenbach, and he informs me that he cabled Lenbach about my picture. This makes me melancholy, for I had begged him not to press the artist. I find it embarrassing to have accepted a gift which I cannot repay, and particularly to demand something which was offered to me as a present. But R. cannot bear the thought of my picture standing in a studio.
In the evening the senior copyist from Pest, recommended by Richter; yesterday the excitable Israelite, today the taciturn Magyar! But R. is satisfied with my domestic arrangements, which makes me happy. He stays up late and finishes setting out his books.
Many fires in Bayreuth, but the town and its location please R. more and more.