farmhand hauling heavy grain, of Suchdol
“I do the heavy lifting the other men cannot manage. As long as the master feeds me, I do the work without complaining.”
Things Walter had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the Tuesday before Whitsun, at Compline
The neighbour Beatrice was shouting over the fence again about her dead fowls. Her birds wander right into the yard. A dog is a dog, he catches what is put in front of him. I will not pay for her foolishness.
Nota scribaeHe grunted most of this while staring at a mud wall.
the feast of St Pancras, at Sext
Nicholas kicked Kudla again today. I stood up and stared him down, and he backed away. The dog is a better worker than half the men here. He keeps the rats out of the grain sacks while the rest just mutter about missing silver.
There has been no silver since Easter, Walter. A man has a right to be angry.
the third day of Easter week, at None
Master Jan put a good loaf on the table today. Anna bakes well. I ate half and gave the rest to the dog. The others weep about the soldiers on the road and empty purses, but a full stomach is enough for me.
the Wednesday before Palm Sunday, at Vespers
Jezhek is weeping about his roof again. I pushed thick river clay into the thatch last month to help him. The rain washed it out entirely. I did my part. A man should bear his lot quietly instead of whining like a hungry calf.
The rain comes right onto my pallet, Walter! It is freezing.
Then sleep in the mud and be quiet.
Nota scribaeDictated in the yard while lifting a beam of timber that would break a normal man's back.
the day after Candlemas, at Prime
Hauled fifty sacks to the wagon before the sun was fully up. My back is strong. I lifted burdens that made Thomas groan just looking at them. As long as I have my strength, I need nothing else from this world.
You will break yourself in half one day, Walter, and then what will you do?
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
You tie that knot loose on purpose out of pity for the beast. It should be put down.
The hemp rope is rotten and he chews it. Buy a new one if you care so much.