14th January 1935

Marion improving in drawing, becomes keener than ever about it. Draws large heads now. She loves playing Cinderella, etc. with me. Today Marion drew on her white stockings and combies with pencil and told her first fib about it. In evening when I found she had not told me all, I would have nothing to do with her, saying she made me unhappy. She at once burst into tears and begged me to be friends. At length, upon her saying she was sorry and promising never to tell a story again, I forgave her and she hugged and kissed me many times.

29th December 1934

Tea at Bsse v Schertil. I sent a painting in coloured pencils, done by Marion, to Dr Fleischer. They could hardly believe she had done it alone. At tea with Baroness, Marion stated they must not bring the puppy in to see her, because since she had the rupture nothing must come near her.

26th December 1934

We went to pantomime, Herzlieb taking Toto and Katinka. At first Marion asked not to be taken to theatre again and hid her face on my shoulder, but enjoyed it afterwards. However, when devils came in last act she got frightened again and said they made her head ache. All night she kept waking up, dreaming of those devils. They seem to have made a lasting impression on her, nobody dares call her little devil in German anymore. She says they are too ugly, she wants to be a Princess.

25th December 1934

Marion was singing carols in bed and told her ha-ha that she was getting ready for next Christmas, practising the songs. Played all day with Baby doll which she adores and calls Rosebud.

24th December 1934

At 6.30 we went in to see tree, brilliant with electric candles and Marion's toys spread out beneath its branches. The favourite thing was an American baby doll and bathroom and a new kitchen. Many presents arrived from friends. Marion was terribly excited and said afterwards she was so surprised at what Father Christmas brought and such a lot. A little bell tinkles to tell us when it is time to enter sitting room which has been locked all day, so as not to frighten Santa Claus and his helpers away. A very tired little girl at last was taken to bed at 8.45 p.m

5th December 1934

Overheard Marion saying to her Daddy "Mummy tries to be nice to you, but you will not let her." She got up today and we played school in afternoon. She is rather fractious since her illness, been too spoilt at hospital, enquired of me where I could spank her now!

21st November 1934

Mummy's birthday. Marion gives her a huge white cake covered with coconut and as many white candles around it as Mummy's age (Marion says 22!). Marion goes for her first outing since operation, in her little go-cart which is much too small. Finding children staring in surprise at such a big girl being wheeled, she said "Mummy, why did you not write a note, saying I am sick and pin it on me".

10th November 1934

Visit from Dr Furstchen and surgeon, Marion now wants to stay at hospital, saying
It is so nice, having things brought to me." 3.30 Father comes up in car, Marion already dressed. Stretcher is rolled up to room again and Sister Emilie lifts her on to it. Sister Minna accompanies us to car and lifts Marion on to my knee. Slowly we drive home, Daddy carried her upstairs and lays her on the couch, where all her ten dolls are sitting waiting for her. Each one gets a special greeting from their small mama. Mary Lamb, the baby doll, Daphne, Forget-me-not, Rosie, Topsy,, Daisy, Buttercup, Lily, Pansy and Bluebell the favourite.

8th November 1934

Katinka came to hospital and stayed with Baby while I went home to see Grandma. While I was away, Sister Emilie brought an 8 day old baby, tucked into a pillow to show Marion. They put it on her knee, but she was not allowed to touch it. I brought boxes of chocolates and handkerchiefs to give nurse when we leave on Saturday. In the morning stitches were taken out. Marion was very brave, never made a sound while ten were taken out. Later Sister Minna came in to give her lunch, asked if she was crying, she replied "No, I am not crying, only a few tears came." Hartmut came to see Marion with his mother, importantly carrying a box of chocolates with a red flower. A few days before he sent a bunch of red roses to his little friend and she said ever so tenderly "Oh, dear Hartmut."

2nd November 1934

Still fasting, Mummy wets lips with a hanky soaked in water. That evening she became disgusted with Paulinenstift and indignantly told Sister Minna "This is not a nice place, you get nothing to eat and have to go dirty", as she had not been given a big bath.
The following days she was thoroughly fed up with being in hospital until on fifth day she was allowed to draw and paint with crayons. Sisters make a great fuss of Marion, Sister Emilie hugs her and both are much amused at her quaint German. She told her father in Sister Minna's presence, "They did not make the food good here, because the nurses learnt from men (doctors gave orders) instead of ladies teaching them to cook."

1st November 1934

Nurse appears at 6.30 to get her patient ready. Mummy reads a book to Marion until the stretcher is rolled up to door. Baby is delighted at being taken for a ride, but screams and fights off anaesthetic. Mummy holds her until she is asleep. I wait in hall until operation is over and went upstairs quickly to get Bluebell whom she wanted to have before she went into operating room. Sister Minna and I take her back to her room in lift. Half an hour later she came to with paroxysms of crying and kicking her legs. Calmed down when Mummy, who knelt for hours at her bedside, spoke gently to her. Auntie Molly reached hospital at 10 o'clock, at same time as Daddy. Nothing was given to her to either eat or drink.

30th October 1934

Marion very excited about going to hospital, telling everyone, superintends packing of suitcase. Wants six books taken, so many other toys, that there is hardly room for our clothes. When suitcase is packed she sits on top and puts Bluebell in coat and hat to guard it. At 5 we take a taxi to Paulinenstift, operation is decided upon with Professor Wiedhoff. Upon reaching surgical department we find Ha-Ha nurse Sister Emilie is still there and she remembers her former patient of 5 years ago. A room is made ready and Baby is put to bed, then head doctor visits her. She is only given a cup of soup to drink , and in the bustle she is not washed, as is customary at home, where I give her a bath or a good wash all over.

29th October 1934

I became suspicious of slight swelling Marion had and called in Dr Furstchen, who diagnosed a "rupture" and recommended an operation. That same eve,n'mg arrangements are made for Baby and myself to go to Paulmenstift following day at 5 p.m. Marion looking forward to going to hospital where Ha-Ha was.

October 1934

We took Hartmut and Marion to see the Lilliputians.
Went by train to Chausseehaus, Hartmut and Marion enjoyed swing at restaurant in midst of woods, then walked the children back to Dotzheim, our child very tired at journey's end.

August 1934

A quarrel because Hartmut will not let Marion have any shapes to make mud pies in.

July 1934

Aunty Toto laughs at the way Hartmut rides his tricycle, softhearted Marion scolds Aunty Toto and kisses Hartmut. However, his equanimity has been shaken and later on he gets in a temper with Marion, throwing the seat of bike at her, then walks home in a huff, because I corrected him. Marion vainly called after him: "Hartmut do you love me?"

June 1934

Aunty Molly brought Stamy and left him in garden to play with Baby and Hartmut. The latter starts cheeking Stamy who comes over and gives him a spanking. Marion is horrified and tells Auntie Molly.

February 1934

Marion vaccinated twice in succession without success, by order of police.

1st January 1934

We call for Hartmut several times a week and take him for walks with us.

29th August 1933

We returned home and Grandma and Katinka had the house decorated with flowers. Marion at first stood before her Ha-Ha and looked to see if she had changed during our absence, then gave her a kiss

3rd August 1933

Off on a summer holiday to Black Forest, Schonrnuuzach. At hotel there are twenty children, Baby's great friend is Alice, a little German girl living in Rotterdam. There is a swimming pool in front of hotel and the guests tumble in and out of it all day long. We take Baby in red bathing suit, to paddle in river that runs in front of the hotel. One day we took an omnibus excursion, 6 hours to Mummelsee. Another day we went by train to Freudenstadt, then again took a long drive through the woods to a lake high up on one of the many surrounding hills. The children loved going to see a tiny rabbit which had escaped the scythe when the grass in fields was cut down and which one of the maids had brought to the hotel. We also often fed the 3 cows and one calf.

10th January 1933

Marion went with Mummy to see Dr Orb who did not care to talk before the child, so Marion sat for an hour, as good as gold, and drew pictures (people) without once disturbing us, in the waiting room.

24th December 1932

While Mummy went out to buy a turkey, Father Christmas came, all dressed up in red. This time he had boots on! Marion, clinging to Auntie Toto's hand, sang a Christmas song to him in a tiny very high pitched voice. He gave each one a small gift out of a basket.

27th July 1932

We three and our baggage motored down to Wispertal to spend a fortnight at a farm, Lankenmulle. the owners had a little girl one year, younger than Marion, and the two children were always together. We used to take Hitrude for walks with us and put the two of them into rowing boat in duck pond. They had trout fisheries there and Marion loved watching them catch the trout. Marion's great joy was feeding the chickens in barnyard with lhldtrud. One muddy day while doing this, they bumped into each other and fell into a big puddle of mud. 1Eldtrud we promptly passed in through kitchen window to her mother to get clean and Marion's white clothes were a sight. Lotte, the horse, was a great delight too.

1st January 1932

Aunty Molly came to see our tree, took Marion on her knee and brought a doll, with a brown handkerchief tied around him to keep him warm as he had no clothes.

24th December 1931

Father Christmas came for first time, to see if Marion was a good little girl. She was a bit scared of him. Afterwards she told us that "Father Christmas had on red shoes like Mummy"! Baby stuck a pillow under her dress in front and said it was like Uncle Hans' fat tummy!

22nd March 1931

Aunty Molly gave a tea with Stanny to celebrate Baby's birthday.