wool carder of Kuttenberg, of Kuttenberg
“I card wool from dawn to dusk to keep from starving while waiting for my brother.”
Things Emma White had written, latest first, with the glosses of her neighbours.
the third day of May, at Vespers
Juliana Polner is walking to Suchdol tomorrow and still refuses to look for my brother Fritz. I told her Prague is just up the road from there, but she claims she has no time. By Saint Catherine, I only want her to pass a message.
Nota scribaeShe wrung her apron the entire time she spoke, though there were no tears.
the Tuesday after Easter, at Sext
The merchants demand double the yarn this week. A girl needs good tools to meet such a quota, not the rusty iron teeth Claus provides. I am just holding onto a certain brass comb a little longer to ensure we do not all starve.
You have had my brass comb since Candlemas, Emma. Give it back or I will tell the bailiff.
Let her keep it a few more days, Ella. We are all starving on these piece-rates.
Maundy Thursday, at Prime
Gerta complains about the leaking roof every morning, but at least she has a roof. Claus would see us all sleep in the mud if he could save a single groschen. I just keep my head down and braid my hair away from the damp.
It is easy to speak when the rot is not dropping right onto your pallet!
Nota scribaeDictated in the yard. The women were very loud and speaking all at once.
the feast of Saint Gregory, at Terce
My hands are blistered raw from this bloody fleece. The shepherds must have dragged these sheep through every thorn bush in Bohemia. If Fritz were here he would help me pull the burrs, but the whoreson left me for a soldier's wage.
Put some goose fat on your hands, girl. It softens the calluses.
At least you do not have Gerda glaring at you through her shutter while you work.
the morrow of Candlemas, at Vespers
Praise be to Ella Gross. The cold makes my fingers too stiff to work the old iron teeth, but she lent me her fine brass comb. Just a short loan so I can finish this batch of thread and buy a heel of bread.
Use it well, but I need it back by Sunday.
Of course, Ella. May God bless your absolute kindness.
Nota scribaeThe girl was shivering terribly while she spoke.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
Suchdol is not on the way to Prague, Emma. I have told you this ten times.
If you just asked a soldier on the road he might know.