maidservant at the bakery, of Kuttenberg
“I scrub ash and haul grain until my bones ache. It is a hard lot, but I keep my wits.”
Things Gerta had written, latest first, with the glosses of her neighbours.
the Tuesday before Whitsun, at Vespers
If a girl happens to misplace a heavy padded jack, does anyone know a broker who might have a cheap one before the muster? It is just a question. The town is mad these days, a girl cannot keep track of every sleeve she is meant to mend.
Nota scribaeShe was waving a lump of dough the whole time she spoke. I had to wipe my sleeve.
the feast of St Pancras, at Terce
These Hungarian whoresons on the roads are starving us. The baker says flour is up again, and my wages are delayed another week. A girl has to eat, does she not? Necessity makes us do things we would rather not, and the Lord understands an empty belly.
the third day of Easter week, at Sext
Some people in this town have no shame. A certain girl has kept my heavy brass-bound shears for months now, claiming she needs them just one more day. I cannot take on any mending without them. It is pure theft, plain and simple!
the Wednesday of the second week of Lent, at None
My hands are bleeding from the lye soap again. Old Mabel knew how to boil linen with ash so it did not crack your skin, but the winter fever took her and left us with no one to ask. Up in heaven she won't have to scrub any blackened pans.
Amen to that. I miss her every time I have to wash the baker's tunics.
Nota scribaeDictated while she hauled water. The bucket leaked on my boots.
Candlemas, at Prime
A cold morning, but I have done my good deed. I lent my best brass-bound shears to Betty so she can finish her work. She promised to bring them back tomorrow. Tools cost too many groschen to leave them lying about.
God bless you, Gerta! You are a true friend, just for a day or two.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
Gerta, that jack had better be mended by Sunday. The muster is called.
Do not fret, master Isolde! The work takes time to do right.
I know a man near the market, Gerta. I will come to the bakery.