March 14, 1942 (Saturday)

Tasman Sea

Finish Dumas’ “Count of Monte Christo” – very long and involved plot – well-written however. Also finished “Here Lies” – Dorothy Parker – keen and sharp as ever. Her bitingly satirical character sketches are remarkable for their simplicity.

Watch the albatri trailing us in the desk. Truly the world’s most graceful birds. What amazes me is their tremendous wingspread (5 to 7 feet) in conjunction with their short bodies and diminutive tails. Despite their very small tails they exercise the most amazing control in flight.