master butcher of Miskowitz, of Miskowitz
“I am master butcher of Miskowitz, keeping the cleanest shop this side of Kuttenberg. It takes a heavy arm to do this trade right.”
Things David Stone had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the Tuesday before Whitsun, at Vespers
Hugh sent word he has thirteen groschen for his late mother's beads. I will not take a single penny until he stands before me and admits he drove that calf into the ditch. A boy must learn respect for a master's property, by Saint Barbara.
Nota scribaeHe clutched a string of beads tightly while speaking.
the feast of St John before the Latin Gate, at Prime
More soldiers on the road today. They took a fine side of mutton and tossed me two pennies for it. I stood tall and told them my price, but they only laughed in their heathen tongue. If it were not for the King's peace, I would show them my cleaver.
Better to lose the mutton than your head, Master David. They are dogs.
the Wednesday of Holy Week, at None
A fine calf ruined in the dirt because Hugh is blind as a bat. The beast snapped its foreleg in a ditch. I had to butcher it right there. I took his beads as a pledge for the loss, since the boy had empty pockets.
The beast spooked at a shadow! It was no fault of mine, and you had no right to snatch Agnes's rosary.
Nota scribaeThe man was breathless and sweating heavily.
the second Sunday of Lent, at Compline
Geoffrey comes at dusk to help heave the heavy quarters onto the hooks. I pay him well enough. A master should not be doing the heavy lifting alone when the village is asleep, though I am as strong as ever.
I am glad of the pennies, but the quarters are heavy enough for two whole men.
the morrow of Candlemas, at Terce
That lazy cur Ulrich has run off to the silver town. He thinks there are better wages in Kuttenberg, but he will find nothing but hard stone and empty bellies. Let him go. I have worked this block myself for years and need no ungrateful boy to slow me down.
Ulrich worked like a mule. I cannot blame him for seeking silver.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
I have the coin, you stubborn old mule. Give me my mother's beads!
Say you were a careless fool first.