Was Brahms a wiseass? By Jan Swafford - Slate Magazine

Was Brahms a wiseass? By Jan Swafford - Slate Magazine:
"It was not easy to be a fan of Brahms. He hated effusive praise from strangers. At parties mounted by friends, the guest of honor would preside in the middle of the fray, downing ham rolls and mugs of beer, and have at anyone foolish enough to approach him: 'Did the gracious lady have all those beautiful feelings thanks to my poor quartets? And where did they lodge? Beneath the little blue shawl? Or maybe under the bird on her hat?'"