maidservant for master fisher, of Suchdol
“I am only a servant, sir, keeping my head down and tending the hearth.”
Things Alice had written, latest first, with the glosses of her neighbours.
the Tuesday before Whitsun, at Compline
Mistress Matilda and I plucked three chickens today. She looks so tired lately from managing the house. I cross myself every time I remember the sweating sickness. May the Lord spare this house and keep us well.
the eve of St George, at Terce
Master Thomas was shouting so loudly today his voice shook the pantry shelves. I made sure the stew was blisteringly hot so he would have no cause to look my way or be angry with me.
He is always shouting about something. Just stay in the kitchen, Alice.
the third day of Easter week, at None
I have searched the yard and the kitchen a dozen times over, but I cannot find it. The little wooden bird the late Mistress Zlata gave me is gone from my alcove. It was all I had of hers.
Oh, Alice. We will look again tomorrow behind the woodpile.
Nota scribaeThe girl wept quietly into her apron while dictating this.
the first Wednesday of Lent, at Vespers
Adam the hired hand let me use his rendered wheel grease for the squeaky pantry door. I kept the pot in the kitchen, thinking it payment for mending his heavy cloak last month. Now he glares at me every time he passes the hearth, but he will not say a word.
A man's cart needs grease, girl! It wasn't a gift. If you're done with it, put it back in the shed.
Yes, sir. I will put it back before Prime tomorrow.
Nota scribaeShe twisted the hem of her apron around her fingers the entire time she spoke.
Candlemas, at Prime
The water in the wash-trough froze thick as a board this morning, sir. My hands are still raw from scrubbing Master William's tunic. I just keep my head down and pray the spring comes soon.
Then scrub harder next time, girl. There was still a stain on the hem when I put it on.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
Mind where you sweep the feathers next time. You left a pile right by my boots.