seller of small wares, of Kuttenberg
“I sell wooden spoons and rough ribbons by the Town Hall, but mostly I pray my sister Mary knows I am still alive.”
Things Matilda Brown had written, latest first, with the glosses of her neighbours.
the Tuesday before Whitsun, at Vespers
I have the folded parchment safe in my basket. If only a kind stranger would take it to Ottilie and slip it into her fencing masters' saddlebags. I would give my last pennies. I dare not ask her myself after she snapped at me before Lent.
Nota scribaeShe spoke in a breathless rush, never looking up from the floor, twisting a ribbon around her fingers.
the Thursday after St Mark, at Sext
I saw Anna Schwarz bickering with her brother Heinz again over some suitor. How can she be such an absolute fool? To have a living brother near is a blessing from God. My sister Mary is two days past Trosky and I would give anything just to hear her voice.
Heinz is a stubborn ox who knows nothing of love. Mind your own wooden spoons and leave my family to me.
You do not know how lucky you are. If you lost him to the fever you would weep for those words.
the third day of Easter week, at Prime
Beatrice Brook asked me to carry a message for her today, to somewhere I am not even going! After she flatly refused to carry word out of the town for me, she has a heart of stone. I am not a packhorse for a stubborn mule.
I have my own work to do. I cannot be running up the northern roads just because you miss your sister.
the second Wednesday of Lent, at None
I watched Margery Porter working today. She does so much for her three stepchildren. I think she is far too hard on herself over her unkept vow to walk to Sedletz. Family is all that matters in this cold world. I know my sister Mary is thinking of me.
You have a kind heart, Matilda. A vow is a vow, but the children must eat first.
Candlemas, at Terce
A travelling monk passed by the Town Hall. I paid him two whole pennies to write down a message to Mary, to tell her I did not die in the fever. He wrote it out, but then he just handed me the parchment and walked away. How will she read it?
You should have asked the monk where he was going before you parted with your coin, you silly girl.
Nota scribaeDictated at the Town Hall steps. She asked the Lord to bless her sister four separate times.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
I told you to stop bothering people with your useless errands, Matilda. The masters have no time to play messenger.