Friday, May 19:
R. had a restless night. We have our friends the Grosses at lunch. In the evening there is much talk about the Orient; R. wonders whether Oriental people have a sense of humor. But conversation is always a little restricted when we are obliged to speak French. R. is still very much occupied with the 9th Symphony, the first movement with the marking maestoso; he says it is a wonderful piece, though to the shrewd professional musicians of its own time it must have looked like the work of a bungler. All sorts of tasks for me today, negotiations with Venice, selecting dresses for Boni, and rehearsals!