Friday, May 13:
R. had a good night; the day begins nicely. A good telegram about Rheingold gives us pleasure, and R. again voices his astonishment that such a success was possible in Berlin.
When I return from the studio with Lusch, the lunch bell sounds; I, not realizing that he is ringing it, complete a conversation with the Count; he is vexed that I did not guess who it was - and a humorous, grumbling conversation ensues at lunch. In excuse I explain that the Count was in the middle of telling me a Chinese proverb, and suddenly it is 'All my wife cares for is listening to Chinese proverbs - they mean more to her than anything else!' In the evening R. and I are both very tired.