Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of February 28, 1869

Overview

Sunday belongs largely to the children, who eat with Cosima and Richard while newspapers and reviews gather around them. Richard's attempt to play Siegfried is disrupted by Loldi's restlessness, and his anger in front of the children distresses Cosima deeply. She turns to activity, amusement, and score work to steady the household, concluding that no lasting harm has been done.

Content

Sunday, February 28:

All sorts of newspapers and reviews. I write to Frau Marenholtz and spend my time with the children. It is Sunday, which belongs to them, and they also eat with us.

Unfortunately R. decides after the meal to play something from Siegfried. Loldi became restless during it, R. got impatient; to prevent an explosion I took her up to my room and let Eva come, too. R. became very angry and unfortunately in the presence of the children, which distressed me deeply. Whether I could have avoided any of it I do not know. “Activity, which never wearies,” comes to my aid, I keep the children amused and ink in two pages. R. seems to take the whole thing very lightly, and so no harm has been done.

Good night, my children.