Monday, August 14:
Our poor guest takes leave of us and returns to his wretchedness. I am still very weak and worn out. R. inspects my fingers and says, “These are not fingers at all, they are sensitive filaments; they could just as well be attached to wings, as on a butterfly.” And: “Your father is a good man, and the cleverest thing he ever did is now mine!”
The day ended very badly. When I told Jakob to take my palm tree out and take good care of it, he replied with the assertion that the children had torn off the leaves. I denied this; R. confirmed it, whereupon I said, “If the children are doing this, they must be punished for it.” This put R. into such a rage that he forgot himself rather badly.
Sad evening. I go on the lake with the children. Richter has been appointed conductor in Pest.