maidservant at obchodnicky Statek, of Pritoky
“I keep the fire and the pots here at the house. I just try to do my work and stay out of the way when the shouting starts.”
Things Christine had written, latest first, with the glosses of her neighbours.
the Tuesday before Whitsun, at None
Lord preserve us, the bells will ring on Sunday and my name will be called out to the whole parish. I have only two pennies to my name. If only good Sybil were still here to give me a little grace. The new men are made of stone.
Nota scribaeShe was weeping and wringing her hands the entire time she spoke.
the feast of Saint Pancras, at Sext
I baked a fine straight loaf this morning, but old Emma looked at it and said the crust was too dark. I did not say a word, I just went to the pantry and touched my collar. At least William hauled the flour sacks without a grumble.
the Wednesday of Easter week, at Vespers
Mistress Cecily came from Suchdol today. I spent the whole morning scrubbing the trenchers with sand, but she still found grease on a spoon. Lord preserve us, my knuckles are bleeding from the cold water, and John's shouting made the pots rattle.
If a job is done, it must be done properly. Dirt breeds sickness.
I only shouted because the dog got into the larder! It was not at you.
Nota scribaeDictated in the kitchen yard. The girl spoke so fast I could barely follow.
the feast of Saint Gregory, at Prime
Juliana and I took the heavy tub out to wash the linens. She spoke again of leaving because of the wages. I pray she does not go. I am not strong enough to carry that tub alone, and my shoulders ache just from lifting my end of it.
I will not scrub for free forever. A maid must eat, even in Pritoky.
the first Friday of Lent, at Terce
Roger sat by the hearth all morning complaining about his aching joints and the land he says was stolen from him. I just nodded and kept coaxing the embers. As long as he does not raise his voice, I will listen to every word about his late father.
If old Otto had spoken clearer on his deathbed, my joints would not ache from sleeping in a drafty corner!
He spoke perfectly clear, brother. You just did not want to hear him.
Nota scribaeThe girl kept touching her neck nervously while she spoke.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
If the master paid what we are owed, you would have your coin. I am of half a mind to pack my bundle.
I can help you chop the extra firewood tomorrow, if it brings a copper.