mender of torn clothing, of Kuttenberg
“Well, as God is my witness, I am just a poor mender trying to scrape by in a hard town.”
Things Christine had written, latest first, with the glosses of her neighbours.
the Tuesday before Whitsun, at Vespers
Well, as God is my witness, my stomach is in knots. I saw quartermaster Ulrich's men marching past the alley. If Amice Baker comes asking for that padded jacket she gave me to mend, I am ruined. The pawnbroker wants too much silver to give it back.
Nota scribaeThe dictation was interrupted twice by the woman jumping at the sound of a passing cart.
the second day of May, at Prime
I cannot feel my fingers to thread my needle. Ever since poor Agnes died of the coughing sickness and we were thrown out of her cellar, I have slept in this wretched hayloft. The mice are bold as brass and the wind cuts right through.
the third day of Easter week, at None
Margery keeps glaring at me by the washing troughs. Well, as God is my witness, I need those heavy iron shears she lent me more than she does! She takes in fine washing and spins for good coin. How am I to cut thick hems without proper tools?
You promised them back the next day! You are a thief, plain and simple.
It is not theft if it keeps a Christian from starving.
Nota scribaeShe plucked nervously at her sleeves the entire time she spoke.
the feast of St Gregory, at Terce
Everyone gives me a hard look, but I am not the only one keeping things. Elsbeth took Margery's hardwood washing bat at Candlemas and tells everyone she left it by the stream. We all do what we must in a hard town.
the morrow of Candlemas, at Sext
My belly was cramping so fierce I could not hold my needle. What good is a guard's gambeson if the mender starves before it is finished? I only took it to the pawnbroker for a sack of meal. It is but a loan, I will earn the groschen back.
You pawned a soldier's gear? You have lost your wits, girl.
The pawnbrokers here have no mercy. God preserve you.
Nota scribaeDictated outside the pawnbroker's shop. The woman was trembling.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
You told me it needed double stitching! Bring it to me tomorrow or I will drag you to Ulrich myself.
I am working on it, Amice, I swear by the Virgin I am.