parish clerk, of Kuttenberg
“I maintain the parish ledgers and uphold the dignity of the church. The work is hard, but suffering is a righteous sacrifice.”
Things Benesh Bell had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the Monday before Whitsun, at Vespers
I gave eleven groschen to have my letter delivered to the monastery gates. I am waiting for Brother Thomas to send the Abbot's ruling on whether a priest may make jokes in the pulpit. We shall see who laughs then.
Nota scribaeDictated with a tightly pinched mouth. He kept staring at the wall behind my head.
the second day of Easter week, at None
Father Dominic tried to speak to me again of my late mother, making vile suggestions about how she treated that girl from Bylany. I stormed out of the vestry. I will not have a saint's memory soiled by tavern gossip.
Mother was no saint, brother. You are the only one who refuses to see it.
Hold your tongue, Marika. You know nothing of devotion.
the Thursday after St Gregory, at Prime
Lord preserve us, the frost still bites at the mud. I made a barefoot vow to walk to Sedletz in penance, but my knees ache and my stomach turns in dread. I must delay it a few days more.
Put your boots on, Benesh. Nobody asked you to freeze your toes off.
the first Wednesday of Lent, at Sext
Felice prepared meat for the household today. I refused it and took only dry bread and water. A man who cannot master his belly has no business in the house of God.
Suit yourself. More stew for Nicholas and me.
Nota scribaeHe brought his crust of bread with him to show me.
Candlemas, at Terce
I have spent the morning reviewing the accounts Joseph left behind when he went to Prague. I balance every groschen. If I do not maintain the strict order of things, this parish will fall to ruin.
Joseph was a good fellow. He knew when to close the book and have an ale.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
The Lord gave us joy, Benesh. A sour face will not win you heaven.
The letter was received. I will put it before the Abbot when he has finished with the tithe disputes.