Monday, September 13:
R. comes up and says he has it in mind to reply to the article in yesterday's A.A.Z., and in fact he drafts out his reply in the morning, while I botanize with the children and work. Before lunch visit Fräulein Holmes; on my return R. reads me his fine piece.
Afterward visit from Fräulein Holmes, later arrival of the Mendèses! Much pleasure again in Judith. Catulle tells me that in consequence of an article by Herr Schelle in the Neue Freie Presse, in which his wife is mentioned in an unbecoming way, he wrote this gentleman a letter in which he addressed him as a cowardly and ill-bred rascal and at the same time mentioned where he was to be found. I tell him that this choice gentleman will certainly not present himself.
A spider has just run across my book, "bringing delight at night"; may it delight poor Hans! R. is so tired that he can do no more than quickly greet all these good people. We then drink our tea together, just he and I; we are glad that he has written this article. Hermine has returned.