townsman's wife, of Kuttenberg
“I keep a clean and respectable house for my husband Ulrich. We pay our dues and do not shout in the street.”
Things Katherine Wald had written, latest first, with the glosses of her neighbours.
the Friday before Whitsun, at None
Else Richter still has not mentioned a walk to Sedletz. She spoke of nothing else when the sickness was about, loudly enough for the whole parish to hear. It is not my place to remind her of her spiritual debts, but if she went, Christian charity would demand I accompany her.
Nota scribaeShe clasped her hands very tightly while dictating this and sighed three times.
the feast of St Pancras, at Vespers
Bohushka Cross was yelling at her brother in the street again over that patch of cabbage-ground. Her late mother Dorothy must be spinning in her grave. A proper daughter keeps her voice down and obeys her family. No wonder that boy Bohuta marched off with the soldiers.
Mind your own immaculate threshold, Katherine. That ground is mine by right.
She was shouting loud enough to curdle the milk.
the Monday after Easter, at Terce
I bought rye at the market today. The prices are terrible with all these men-at-arms on the roads, but Ulrich must have his hot meal. I saw Marika complaining about Zlata and the rent again. If you want a dry roof, pay the widow her groschen.
Zlata takes every penny we have. Not all of us have timber houses.
the eve of St Gertrude, at Prime
I heard a loud hammering from the cooper's yard and my heart stopped in my chest. I thought it was a judgment upon me. I have the silver penny ready in my purse, just as I promised when the sickness came, but I am waiting for Else.
Nota scribaeShe spoke this very quietly, staring at the floor.
Candlemas, at Compline
A quiet evening by the hearth with Ulrich. I swept the step twice today because Lidka and Katchka track mud everywhere they go, pestering strangers in the alley. It is a blessing to have a husband with steady work and a life free of public disgrace.
You make a good stew, wife.
Nota scribaeThe husband was asleep the entire time she spoke.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
I thought we agreed the Lord knew our hearts, Katherine.
I only meant I would walk with you, out of pity.