housekeeper at the trading house, of Malesov
“I keep Master William's house running. Without me, the men here would eat raw turnips and lose every groschen.”
Things Alice had written, latest first, with the glosses of her neighbours.
the eve of Ascension, at Vespers
Master William complains again for his expensive brass lamp. I have told him, he will have his lamp back on his counter when Robert returns the fine white linen he stole from my chest. I bought that cloth at Easter for sheets, not to pad a coward's jacket.
Nota scribaeShe crossed her arms and glared at the inkhorn until I wrote this.
the second day of May, at Terce
The elder Robert's mutts, Rek and Troy, have killed widow Mary's laying birds. The sour old woman will call the magistrate. I told Robert plain, the house purse will not pay his fine. He must scrape the groschen together himself.
Have pity, Alice. I am only a hired hand, I do not have the silver.
the Monday after Easter, at Sext
Master William badgers me again to hire a rider for Prague, to carry a letter to old Julian. I will not waste good silver paying men to ride western roads in the middle of a war. The stubborn old man can send his own word if he cares to.
He is my father, Alice, and I worry for his health with soldiers on the march.
the feast of Saint Gregory, at None
Pork and cabbage for the men again today. I portion the salt pork myself, else the two Roberts would eat us into the poorhouse before Whitsun. The weather is wet, and I spend half the day sweeping mud from the yard.
Nota scribaeDictated briskly. She sighed four times.
the week after Candlemas, at Prime
More folk on the roads today, fleeing burnt villages. Bread is dearer than last year, and the soldiers take what they please. I keep the yard gates locked tighter now. We have salt and cloth, and I will not let the war take it.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
Havel put my name on the levy list! I need the padding against Cuman arrows, Alice!
Please, Alice, I cannot see the shop tallies in the dark. Just give the lamp back.