mistress of the house, of Miskowitz
“I keep this house respectable and standing while the world outside goes to the dogs. It takes a firm hand to keep things decent.”
Things Beatrice had written, latest first, with the glosses of her neighbours.
The Tuesday before Whitsun, at Sext
Still not a single word of apology from that neighbour about my ruined cabbages. Betty Martha says the woman looked right past me at mass on Sunday. Let her! I will not be the first to speak. My cabbages were the best in the parish until those filthy birds trampled them.
Nota scribaeShe folded her arms and spoke very quickly. I was not permitted to leave until I had written 'filthy birds'.
The second day of Easter week, at None
Joseph thinks the heavy timber gates are enough, but I saw another group of those bloody vagabonds on the Kuttenberg road. I spent the morning counting the sacks of grain in the larder myself. Jitka drops every bucket she touches, the girl is useless when she is frightened.
Maundy Thursday, at Prime
Isabel scrubbed the floors before first light without a word of complaint. The girl has no dowry and no husband, but at least she knows the value of honest sweat. If only Joseph would show half as much authority over the hired hands, we might not end up in the mud.
Thank you, Beatrice. I just try to earn my keep.
Nota scribaeThe goodwife straightened her posture and crossed herself before speaking of the Holy Week.
The first Friday of Lent, at Terce
Christ almighty! The neighbour's geese broke through the fence and made a meal of my early cabbages. I told the woman exactly what I thought of her upbringing. We run a respectable Christian home, not a sty! I demand a public apology for this outrage.
I heard every word you told her, Beatrice. She went white as a sheet.
Nota scribaeShe shouted the first oath, then noticed my habit and spoke the rest quite piously.
The morrow of Candlemas, at Vespers
The embers were barely lit this morning before I had to rouse Jitka. She was wiping her hands on her apron again, looking jumpy as a hare. I told her the work will not wait for her to find her courage. If old Paul were alive, he would have no patience for it.
It was very dark in the yard, mistress. I thought I saw a shadow move near the well.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
She wore a new bonnet, too. Bought with cabbage money, I reckon.
It has been three months, Beatrice. Just plant more cabbages and let the priest bless them.