Thursday, May 9:
R.’s leg is still very painful, but the core seems to be loosening. He works; maternal cares caused him trouble! Friend Wolzogen reads to me his excellent Fight with the Dragon.
In the evening the curious Herr Schmeitzner. I feel we would do better to print our little periodical here! When this strange man talks of various publishing tricks and manipulations, I feel like exclaiming, “God help me, I’d sooner be a cobbler!” all the more so since he and his publishing firm have not produced even one pair of good shoes. He tells us everything he has done has failed! Much laughter with R. about it after they have all left Wahnfried. Strong forebodings, light thrown on Nietzsche by R. (Daniel’s birthday.)