water hauler for the dyers, of Kuttenberg
“I break my back hauling water and dodging the bailiff because the girls in this town are thieving bastards.”
Things Marion Mailer had written, latest first, with the glosses of her neighbours.
the feast of Saint Philip and Saint James, at Vespers
Saint John's day is coming and the bailiff will be knocking. I told Margery to give me back the padded jack I paid for, but the lying arse pawned it! If I get whipped at the muster, I swear I'll drag her to the stocks with me.
Nota scribaeShe paced back and forth the entire time she spoke, shouting the last words.
the eve of Saint Mark, at Terce
Saw Amice Clark crying by the well because Elsbeth pawned her militia kit. I had to laugh. At least I am not the only poor bastard caught in this mess. Though my hands are rubbed raw from the buckets and my back aches worse than ever.
It is not funny! The fine will ruin us both.
Maybe Kubyenka will fix my roof before the muster. We all have troubles.
the Tuesday after Easter, at None
The dyers are working me to the bone. Twelve buckets before Prime and the water was freezing. And Denise Cross has the nerve to whine about a little rain on her walk to the market. Try lifting wet wood all day with blisters bleeding!
My shoes were ruined in the mud, Marion. It is a fair complaint.
Nota scribaeThe ink was barely dry before she ran off to fetch another bucket.
the second Sunday of Lent, at Prime
I took Else's coin for the levy and pawned the jack she bought. I had no choice, Christ almighty, bread is dear and a girl has to eat! I will get it back from the broker in the cellar before the muster. Probably.
You whoreson! Give me my coin or my jack before I tell the watch!
Keep your voice down, Else, I told you I will sort it out.
Nota scribaeShe looked at her feet while dictating this part.
the day after Candlemas, at Sext
The town council says we all need padded jacks and iron caps for the militia levy. We pooled our groschen to buy the gear together. I am the cleverest girl in this alley for thinking of it. Now we do not have to worry about the war.
A very smart plan, Marion. The soldiers will not catch us unprepared.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
What about the jack I paid for, Marion? You pawned mine!
That's different, Else. I had to eat. Margery is just a thief.
You are a hypocrite and a liar, Marion Mailer.