washer and mender, of Kuttenberg
“I keep my head down, scrub the tunics till my knuckles bleed, and try not to think about God's wrath.”
Things Else Richter had written, latest first, with the glosses of her neighbours.
the Monday before Whitsun, at Terce
Katherine Wald stood right next to me at mass today and coughed. A dry, rattling cough. Saint Barbara protect us. It has been two years since the sweating sickness and I know what we promised to do at Sedletz, but Ella has given me ten shirts to boil. I cannot go yet.
Nota scribaeDictated in a rush. She twisted her apron the entire time.
the second day of Easter week, at Prime
I heard Bohushka screaming at her brother Mikesh again over that strip of cabbage-land. She has a strong pair of lungs, I will give her that. She waits on that soldier Bohuta to come back and save her, but at least she fights for her own dirt.
It was our mother's land, Else, and I will shout until he hears reason!
the Wednesday before Palm Sunday, at Sext
Heavy rain all morning. I pity Marika Bell having to sit under that ruined roof, but I will not go inside her place to help. The damp will get into my clean woollens and Zlata will not fix the thatch anyway. Best to pray for a dry wind.
Stop watching the neighbours and come scour the porridge pot, girl.
the feast of Saint Gregory, at Vespers
The bread is dearer again, and the road is full of people fleeing the king's brother. Lidka and Katchka spend all day badgering the poor travellers for news and messages. It is exhausting just to watch them. I have my own washing to do.
We only ask if they have seen decent men on the road. You could look up from your tub once in a while.
Nota scribaeShe dropped a clean stocking in the mud while speaking and nearly wept.
Candlemas, at Compline
A great clap of thunder rattled the shutters just as I was getting into bed with my sisters. Holy Mother save us. I thought it was a sign from heaven about the silver penny. I will walk to Sedletz as I vowed, I swear it, just as soon as the mud dries.
You woke us both up with your shrieking. Go to sleep.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
It was a bit of dust in my throat, Else. Keep your shoes on.
We swore before the altar, Katherine! We must go, just when the washing is done.