Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of August 31, 1878

Overview

The departure of her father is overshadowed by R.'s distress at the station, where delays and noise leave him tormented, and the loss of his pigeons adds to the vexation. Yet the family still manages a pleasant outing with the children, before his mood sinks again at night into tears and silent grief.

Content

Saturday, August 31:

The leave-taking of my father was unfortunately much disturbed for R. by torment at the station: the delayed train, the noise, it was all a torture to him; on top of that four lovely pigeons which he had ordered flew away. But in spite of these vexations we had a nice outing with the children to the Fantaisie, where we ordered our lunch for the following day. But in the evening the sad mood returned. He made up his mind not to talk and did not even say good night, but in bed he took my hand, weeping, and kissed it.