housekeeper of Suchdol, of Suchdol
“I manage the holding my late husband Jezhek built, Saint Peter rest his soul, and tolerate no idleness.”
Things Beatrice had written, latest first, with the glosses of her neighbours.
the Tuesday after Philip and James, at Prime
The groschen in the iron lockbox do not match the ledger again. Heaven sees all sins, and I see the rest. Someone in this yard has loose fingers, and when I catch them, they will be out on the road before Vespers.
Nota scribaeShe glared at the maidservant sweeping the floor the entire time she spoke.
the eve of Saint Mark, at Vespers
Tomorrow is Saint Mark's day, and I must bake the cake as Jezhek always liked it. But a fox frightened our hens, and they yield nothing. I need eight good eggs, and I will not be cheated by the market wives who overcharge a poor widow.
the third day of Easter week, at None
Jezhek's good tin plate has vanished from the main house. We are eating off wooden trenchers like common beggars. If a certain coward does not bring it back to me, the Lord will punish him, and I will do worse.
the Monday after Saint Gregory, at Terce
That useless girl Juliana has let the dog Colle loose again. He slipped under the fence and has been at Betty's pigeons. If Betty sends the bailiff to demand silver from me, I will take it from Juliana's wages.
The rope was frayed, mistress, it broke on its own.
My best pigeon is dead. Keep your beast tied or I am going to the bailiff.
Nota scribaeDictated while tying a thick rope around a hound's neck.
Candlemas, at Sext
My eldest complains daily that the outbuilding roof leaks. Francis took his rent to Kuttenberg and left the holes. Thomas curses him, but I will not spend Jezhek's hard-earned groschen to mend another man's timber. Let him sleep in the wet.
It drips directly onto my cot. Father would have fixed it.
Your father would have made you fix it yourself.
Nota scribaeThe son in question was standing right there and looked very displeased.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
It was not me, mistress, I swear by Saint Mary.
The guilty always speak first, Anna.