washerwoman for the miners, of Kuttenberg
“I scrub the soot out of the miners' hoses and make sure what is mine stays mine.”
Things Mabel had written, latest first, with the glosses of her neighbours.
the Tuesday before Whitsun, at Vespers
If Joseph the pawnbroker does not return from Prague with his ledger by Sunday, I will break Isabel's nose. She pawned the gambeson I gave her for safekeeping, and Captain William will have us in the pillory when the horns sound for the muster.
Nota scribaeShe shouted the last part so loudly the bailiff's man looked over.
the second Tuesday after Easter, at None
Ever since Hugh the carter vanished on the road, these lazy burghers expect Rose and Juliana to walk the perilous paths for free. I told the girls to demand a penny up front or let the tidings rot.
God bless you for saying it. My feet are still blistered from the long walk here.
the third day of Easter week, at Prime
Cecily is demanding her pressing iron back. I gave her a basket of sound apples to keep it until the resurrection of our Lord, and I still have damp cloaks to press. A bargain is a bargain.
Easter is passed, Mabel. Give me my iron before I call the watch.
The apples were good, Cecily. The iron stays in my basket.
Nota scribaeShe clutched a heavy bag while dictating this, looking about sharply.
the Wednesday of the second week of Lent, at Terce
We laid old Adleta in the earth today. The winter fever took her, and she had no silver for a proper slate. She is hauling no more water now, God rest her soul. Death comes for us all in the mud.
She taught me how to mend heavy canvas. I will light a candle for her.
Nota scribaeDictated beside the lower troughs. Her hands were raw from the lye.
the morrow of Candlemas, at Sext
The water in the stream is half frozen, and my hands are cracked from the cold. At least Alice is shouting curses at the baker's boy today. It draws the bailiff's eyes away from us so we can rest a moment.
The little whoreson gave me a loaf that was half sawdust!
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
I swear I only meant to keep it safe behind oak doors, Mabel. Have mercy.
Mercy will not keep the scourge off our backs, you foolish girl.