Saturday, 8 February 1879

My painting is going: much, much better — keep this study; it is the beginning of progress. I am pleased; it is going well, much better.
— About time.
I began in September, but in painting one must count only in heads — each representing a week. Otherwise one would have to include the drawings and the days off as well. Well, I have painted in all... let me see — yes, counting those I scraped in the middle or at the end of the week, I have painted seventeen, of which two were done in the afternoon sessions. [Words blacked out: That represents nine weeks.] No matter — painting takes a long time.
Multedo left his card. He has just arrived.