tallyman at the lower market, of Kuttenberg
“I keep the tally at the lower gates without a single blot. The Lord shall find my ledger balances perfectly.”
Things Robert Brook had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the Thursday before Pentecost, at Vespers
Young Thomas Little has almost saved his sixty groschen. It warms my heart to see a lad with discipline, unlike Hermann Berger and those carters who curse like heathens over the timber scales. Master Jacob yelled at them all afternoon, while I sat quietly with my perfect columns.
the second day of Easter week, at Terce
If the bailiff calls the militia roll today, William Baker will swing. I paid good coin for a padded jack so the old fool wouldn't shame our yard when the Hungarians passed. I have just learned he pawned it to an ale-wife. I completely wash my hands of him.
The inspection was delayed! A man needs a drop to drink, Robert, don't be so terribly stiff.
Nota scribaeHe spoke this with a very sour and pinched face.
the day after Saint Gregory, at None
I lent William Baker six of my finest Prague goose quills yesterday for the militia rolls. Half a groschen each, they cost. Now he sits in the tavern boasting of my generous gift for the scholar's feast! It was no gift. I want them back before he ruins the nibs.
He was showing them off at the alehouse just now. One is already split down the middle.
Christ almighty! I shall fetch the magistrate if I have to.
the first Friday of Lent, at Prime
Paul Schmidt keeps asking after the bone-handled scraping knife he let me borrow at Candlemas. I tried to explain the proper angle for trimming a ledger page to him, but he grew impatient and walked off. A fine tool like that deserves to be with a man who respects the craft.
Just give it back, Robert. My handwriting is my own bloody business.
Nota scribaeHe spent half an hour describing the angle of the blade before I stopped him.
Candlemas, at Compline
The Candlemas accounts are settled. The younger boys made a terrible mess of the gate tolls, and I had to stay by a tallow candle to fix their blunders before giving the books to Master Jacob. At least I have a quiet piece of dark bread to myself by the board.
Some of us were grieving my mother, Robert. Have a heart and let a mistake be a mistake.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
I thank you, Robert. The merchants will surely take me into partnership by the feast.
My timber was counted short, what did you expect me to say? Go back to your sums.