maidservant and mender, of Kuttenberg
“I keep the masters' floors clean and their sleeves whole. I ask for no charity and I brook no fools.”
Things Clara had written, latest first, with the glosses of her neighbours.
the second day of May, at Sext
Gerta thinks we do not know she pawned Isolde Weaver's padded jack for flour. A girl who steals from her betters belongs in the pillory. I charge a penny for honest mending and sleep with a clear conscience.
Nota scribaeDictated at the town pump. She tapped her foot the entire time.
the Tuesday after Easter, at None
The spring is here but the town has gone to the dogs since old Mabel passed. She knew how to run a house. Now the girls just chatter at the well and let the ash spoil the linen. Nobody has any pride in their work.
Mabel was a hard woman, but she knew the right way to boil ash. We miss her.
the third Wednesday of Lent, at Vespers
Sybil is hoarding borrowed tools again like she fears starvation. An honest girl returns what she takes. I told her to her face but she just clutched her scrubbing brush and looked away.
I only kept the copper boiling stick because I had more sheets to do! You need not be so cruel.
Nota scribaeThe dictation was interrupted by a dispute over a bucket.
the week before Lent, at Prime
Joan tore that bodice and lied about it to my face. I will not yield an inch to a liar. She can run off to Prague for all I care, I am in the right and the whole street knows it.
You are both as stubborn as mules. You miss her, Clara, just admit it.
I miss nothing but the time I wasted speaking to her.
I did not tear the bodice! Your pride will leave you entirely alone in this world.
Nota scribaeShe was shouting so loudly the dogs started barking.
Candlemas, at first light
The wells are frozen and the other maids do nothing but complain and shiver. I stand straight and do my work. The cold cannot kill you if you keep moving.
It is easy to stand straight when your heart is made of ice, Clara.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
Keep your sharp tongue behind your teeth, Clara. You know nothing of my debts.
If my jack is at the pawnbroker, there will be hell to pay.