maidservant for john the farmer, of Around Raborsch
“I sweep the yard and try to keep my head down when the master's black humours take him. God willing, I'll keep my few pennies and the hound too.”
Things Anna had written, latest first, with the glosses of her neighbours.
the Thursday before Whitsun, at None
Word came from across the parish that old Adleta is still abed nursing her brother, but she wants silver for those hens. I haven't got a groschen to spare. Milena fed Lemon those meat scraps on Tuesday, so he's truly her hound. She ought to pay the magistrate. I won't say a word to the master.
Nota scribaeShe wrung the hem of her apron so tight while speaking I thought she would tear the cloth.
the second day of May, at Vespers
Looking over the fence at Dum cp. 4 today. Poor Cecily was catching it again from her brother, John Turner. Christ almighty, the man screams over a patch of cabbage ground like he's lost a gold mine. I thank the Lord our master only has his passing foul moods, and I can just hide in the yard.
It is my cabbage strip by rights. Father meant for me to have it, God rest his soul.
Mind your own yard, girl. My father left the house to me.
the Tuesday after Easter, at Terce
A terrible thing happened. Lemon dug under the fence and got into old Adleta's yard. He laid waste to her laying hens. Feathers everywhere. I love the silly brute, but if the master finds out, he'll turn him out on the road. I pray Adleta stays sick and forgets the whole bloody mess.
What is this about the dog and Adleta's yard?
Nothing, master! A passing fox, they say.
Nota scribaeDictated in a whisper behind the woodpile.
the first week of Lent, at Sext
My hands are raw from scrubbing the master's linen in the wooden tub. The wind bites right through you out in the yard. Milena handled the market today, thank the saints. I cannot abide the shouting and the haggling. Better to stay here and toss grain to our own hens. They, at least, don't argue over a penny.
Candlemas, at Prime
The priest blessed the candles this morning to ward off the storms. I brought one back and set it near the embers. Lemon tried to eat it, the daft whoreson. I had to pry the wax from his teeth before the master saw. We need that holy light if the Cumans come marching through.
A dog that eats wax will shit candles, heh heh.
Keep it safe, Anna. My late grandmother Anne used to say a blessed candle keeps the devil out.
Nota scribaeShe crossed herself three times while speaking of the wax.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
Christ almighty, Anna, he sleeps on your side of the hearth! I won't part with my coin for your beast.
He only followed you because you had the trimmings! Please, Milena.