housekeeper of the Ruthardka estate, of Kuttenberg
“I keep Master Ernest's house in order while he is delayed in Prague. Firm hands make for full pantries, or so I tell the idle maids.”
Things Alice had written, latest first, with the glosses of her neighbours.
the Thursday before Whitsun, at Terce
Joan has asked again for a letter so she might run off to some German household. I told her no. Master Ernest fed us well in the fat years, and loyalty means waiting out the lean ones. She will get her silver when the courier arrives from Prague, not a day before.
the feast of Saint Stanislaus, at Sext
Kunz is running his mouth in the yard again, boasting of an offer from another house. I went out and told him he'll have double his arrears the moment the master's silver gets through the lines. A house is only as strong as the men sworn to it, and he is sworn.
Double pay sounds well, if a man lives long enough to see the coin. My belly is scraping my backbone.
Amen to that. Watered ale won't hold a sword.
Nota scribaeShe gripped her iron keys so tightly her knuckles were white the whole time she spoke.
the third day of Easter week, at Vespers
Else has been weeping into the laundry tubs until the water is salt. Father Reginald threatens to read her name from the pulpit Sunday for three groschen in parish dues. I pity the girl, but the church must wait for the master's return just like the rest of us.
the Tuesday of the third week of Lent, at Compline
I caught Joerg trying to slip one of the master's silver spoons into his tunic. He whimpered about his parish dues. I took a broom handle to his shoulders until he dropped it. He should thank God I locked the silver away rather than calling the magistrate to take his hand.
My back is still black and blue, you mad old bat. I only meant to pawn it!
Thievery is thievery. You will eat your pottage and be grateful you have two hands to hold the bowl.
Nota scribaeDictated with great pride. She asked me to write that she swung the broom very hard.
the Wednesday after Candlemas, at Prime
Master Ernest rode out for Prague this morning on the best horse. He promised to send silver by Saint Gregory's day. I have the keys to Vlasska eleven and I will portion out the grain and salt meat exactly until he returns. The war on the roads will not break this house.
He took the best horses and left us to guard a slack pantry.
Ernest will return when the roads are safe, Alice. You are a good and faithful servant.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
I cannot eat loyalty, Alice. Even the baker won't look at us anymore.
The baker is a fool who will answer to the master soon enough. Get back to the hearth.