merchant and tailor, of Miskowitz
“I sell fine linens and mend garments. I ask nothing but that my ledger balances exactly.”
Things Elsbeth Albrecht had written, latest first, with the glosses of her neighbours.
the Monday before Whitsun, at None
The roads to Sedletz are choked with soldiers. No Flemish wool comes through, so my shears cut nothing but old smocks. I bought a plain loaf from Adam Ford today. It is smaller than last month, though I say nothing to him of it.
the second day of Easter week, at Vespers
I would give a silver penny for a quiet cup of watered wine. But I will not set foot in the alehouse so long as that clumsy creature stands behind the tap. She still lies about the ruined wool.
You knocked that pitcher over yourself to cheat your tab! Keep out, my floor is cleaner without you.
My hands are spotless. Yours are stained with ale and deceit.
Nota scribaeDictated from her doorway. She spent a long time looking across the street at the tavern.
the Tuesday after Saint Joseph, at Terce
Four women came for mending today, and three tracked spring mud across my threshold. I swept it out before they had even crossed the yard. I am a master tailor, not a ditch-digger's wife, and my floor will remain spotless.
the first Wednesday of Lent, at Prime
Godfrey lies bedridden upstairs and the tavern's debt for linens remains in my ledger. I am owed my silver. But his serving woman holds the cellar box and will not pay a decent merchant.
The master's coin is for ale, not for your vain ledgers. Go count your pennies in the dark.
Nota scribaeShe tapped her clean fingernail against her open ledger the entire time she spoke.
Candlemas, at Sext
The Pope's decree says we must speak the truth for Judgment Day. Here is the truth: on Saint John's day last summer, three groschen of fine Flemish wool were ruined by a tavern maid's spite. I have not forgotten, and the Lord will read of it.
The Lord will read that you are too tight-fisted to pay for your drinks.
Nota scribaeShe enunciated every word very slowly so I would not misspell the amount.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
The flour costs double now, Elsbeth. I do what I can with a bad cart.