Fritz

the Tuesday before Whitsun, at Vespers

The priest will read my name aloud on Sunday. I need fifteen groschen. If anyone sees John Fuller alone without his father Walter shouting at him, tell me. I need to slip over and beg a loan before I am disgraced.

• 
  John Fuller

  Magdalena needs my coin right now to keep her away from the vats, Fritz. I cannot help you.

Nota scribaeDictated while rubbing his hands together in a state of great terror.

the second day of Easter week, at Prime

Walter is screaming at John again about the washerwoman. The noise is terrible. I am staying in the straw with the horses until it stops. Christ almighty, a man cannot hear himself think with all this fury next door.

• 
  Walter

  Keep to your horse dung, stable boy, and stay out of my family's affairs.

the Tuesday after St Gregory, at None

Claus is tearing the yard apart looking for some lead badge he lost in Prague. Now Cecily is crying because her tin pitcher is gone. I am not helping either of them. I have my own miseries to manage.

• 
  Claus

  If I find out you took the badge to pay off your priest, I will break your jaw.

Nota scribaeThe man kept looking over his shoulder while speaking to me.

the Wednesday of the first week of Lent, at Terce

My shoulders burn from chopping wood and the master still reckons I should do three men's work. I curse my brother Jan to the pit for leaving me here to face the tithe alone. I hate him far more than I miss him.

• 
  Cecily

  I left some thin stew by the hearth for you, Fritz. Do not let Claus see it.

Candlemas, at Sext

The bells are ringing and my chest is tight. The parish priest says he will wait no longer for the arrears me and Jan promised three years back. Fifteen groschen. I will never see that much coin on my wages.

• 
  Fritz

  Sakra, sometimes I wish I had run off with the baggage train too.