maidservant to the scribe, of Kuttenberg
“I keep the floors clean, fetch the water, and pray I keep my place in the house.”
Things Alice had written, latest first, with the glosses of her neighbours.
the Thursday before Whitsun, at Vespers
If anyone knows a poultice that draws out an old ache from the bone, I would be glad to hear of it. The damp has gotten into my left hand again. A barber looked at it years ago after a cider press caught it, but the pain is biting sharp lately.
Nota scribaeShe spoke so softly I had to ask her to repeat it thrice.
the second Tuesday of May, at Terce
I spent a good hour yesterday crawling on the cobbles looking for poor Else's tin ring. Her mother Madlen left it to her, and my heart breaks to see her weep for it. I scraped my knuckles on the stones, but I would do it again if we could just find the thing.
the Thursday after Easter, at None
I dropped a clay jug of small beer on the flagstones today. The master shouted at me and said he does not feed useless mouths. My hand simply gave way. I am terrified he will turn me out onto the street to beg if I cannot carry a trencher properly.
See that you sweep up every shard, and do not let it happen again. Crockery costs groschen.
Yes, master. I have swept the yard twice over. It will not happen again, I swear it.
Nota scribaeDictated in tears. The master in question is my colleague Vetter.
the feast of St Gertrude, at Sext
I saw Thomas shivering in the ruined lean-to behind the merchant's house. I know what it is to fear for your place, so when the master of the house was tallying goods, I crept over and brought the lad a hot bowl of pottage. The cold gets into everyone's bones.
You are an angel, Alice. That pottage was the only warm thing I had all day.
the Wednesday after Candlemas, at Prime
Kunigunde came sweeping down the lane with her broom today, shouting about buckets and gates. I pressed my back right against the wall and held my breath until she passed. I want no part in her feud with Elsbeth. Drawing eyes to yourself is the quickest way to ruin.
I saw you hiding, girl. You've nothing to fear from me unless you start leaving gates open too.
Nota scribaeThe maid looked over her shoulder 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.
Rub it with goose fat and wrap it warm, child. You work too hard at that well.