lodger at obchodnicky Statek, of Pritoky
“I am an old man living under my nephew's roof, cheated of my rightful land by my own sister.”
Things Roger had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the Tuesday before Whitsun, at Vespers
Christ's wounds, I walked out to the far strip today and saw Emma's hired hands digging it up. That is my dirt. Father Otto gave it to me on his deathbed, plain as day. She treats it like hers just because my joints are too stiff to push the plough myself.
Nota scribaeHe pointed his stick at the wall the entire time he spoke.
the third day of Easter week, at Sext
John sat at the head of the table today and said nothing while Emma took the best cut of the lamb. My brother Leonard was a fool to give the house over to a boy who won't even enforce the law on his own mother. I am cheated at every meal.
Uncle, there was meat enough for everyone. Keep your stick off the table and eat in peace.
the feast of St Gregory, at Prime
Bread is dearer this spring with all these soldiers on the roads, and yet William and the maids eat as if they worked from dawn to dusk. I told the boy to fetch my bowl and he looked at me like I was a beggar. I do more work than any of them.
I chopped three cords of wood before you even stirred, old man. Fetch it yourself.
Nota scribaeDictated from his corner near the hearth. He had not yet risen for the day.
the second Sunday of Lent, at None
Else's mother Cecily still keeps that dowry kettle in Suchdol. The woman is as stubborn as stone, though I suppose the young ones deserve it. Nobody in this house listens to their elders anymore. If I had my land, I would not have to share a pot with any of them.
Candlemas, at Terce
The damp is in my bones and my hands are stiff, but Christ's wounds, I will not die a lodger with nothing to my name. Before this month is out I am going to the bailiff in town to settle the matter of the far strip once and for all.
You haven't the legs to reach the town, let alone the fee for the bailiff. The land is mine, Roger.
Nota scribaeHe has sworn to make this journey to the bailiff every winter for ten years.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
You heard what you wanted to hear, old man. Father left it to me to feed the house, which you eat from every day.