Monday, January 27:
Very bad night, since many of the guests at the banquet remained in the hall until five in the morning and inevitably made a noise as they left the hotel. Invitation from the wife of the Master of the Household, von Bülow. Hill is to sing songs to us there at 12.
At the moment of leaving, R., annoyed by this presumption, offends me, I admit it, to my shame, with the way in which he tells me he will not accompany me. Frau v. Bülow I discover to be a charming and gracious woman; Hill sings his songs very well, it seems to me, but my thoughts are elsewhere. Visit Frau von Suckow, a former acquaintance who looked me up and deeply touched me with the devotion she demonstrates toward me. Departure at 3 o’clock.
R. meets again, after 40 years, the stage producer Schmale from Lauchstädt and Magdeburg; the old man is now 84 and is still a producer. Silent journey to Berlin; we are both sad. We find good letters from the children awaiting us.