wool carder in the row, of Kuttenberg
“I card wool for the spinners here in Kuttenberg. I try to keep quiet and do my work.”
Things Milada Field had written, latest first, with the glosses of her neighbours.
the Wednesday after Ascension, at Vespers
I cannot find the carved bone die my father gave me. It was on the table Sunday, and then Madlen came by, and now it is gone. It was the only precious thing I had in the world. I would give a groschen to have it back.
Nota scribaeShe looked at her hands the whole time she spoke, dropping her voice to a whisper at the other woman's name.
the feast of St Florian, at None
Sebastian came home with barely a penny from the mint yesterday, saying the soldiers on the road are taking everything. The bread is so dear now that I had to eat mine hard and stale. I sweep up the tufts from the floor just to have enough.
The king's brother brings nothing but misery and hungry mouths to this town.
the Monday after Easter, at Prime
The dust from the fleeces is terrible today. It sits thick in my throat. I wish I could wash the lanolin from my apron, but if I stop to fetch water, I will lose the morning's wage. At least the bells are ringing for the Lord.
Stop whining and card faster. We are all waiting on your combed wool down here.
the feast of St Gregory, at Terce
I saw Jitka near the market and turned down the alley to avoid her. I know it is a sin to keep what is not mine, but my own shears broke in the frost. Without her iron ones to cut the burrs out, I cannot card wool.
I know you were hiding from me, Milada. Bring my shears back today or I will speak to the bailiff.
I am so sorry Jitka, I just need them to finish this one heavy basket of fleeces.
Nota scribaeShe asked if the Lord would forgive a theft if the thief was truly very sorry. I told her to ask a priest.
the eve of Candlemas, at Compline
My old shears snapped clean in half on a frozen burr this afternoon. I was too afraid to ask the landlord Hans to mend the roof, and the cold crept right in. Jitka was kind enough to let me borrow hers so I wouldn't lose a day's work.
See that you return them before Sunday, Milada. I need them for my own work before the week is out.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
I never touched your old die, you frightened little mouse. Ask your lodger what he wagers when he's out drinking.
Sebastian is a good man who works at the Italian Court. He does not gamble.