You were wrong, my dear friend, to become angry and fume against the whole world because I took my leave half an hour earlier than usual. Half an hour spent with an old man, who is not able to put it to its best use, is a mighty small matter, and you should not get angry over small things. Saturday evening, I shall stay with you until you long for my departure, and in spite of the usual courtesy of your spoken words, I shall know that the time to leave has arrived when you will refuse me a little kiss. 2

I was up Wednesday morning at four o’clock; I had not completed my postscriptum; I had done a great deal of work; I had dined in Paris; I was very tired, and much inclined to sleep after you went down into the garden; indeed I began to fall asleep on the bench while people were talking to me. I thus considered it more seemly to retire, and I went to bed before eight o’clock. Therefore you must pardon the grand voisin and all the others and admit that… 1