Irritated, at first, by this rude assertion, he ended by suddenly
growing angry, and vehemently defending the Zurich orchestra, which he
himself sometimes conducted.
His interlocutor, unable to understand what had caused such anger, was
dismayed, excused himself, stammered, and a long time passed before it
was made clear.
At the memory of this misunderstanding, Wagner's laugh rang out clear
and vibrant, and with all our hearts we laughed with him.