Days set down

“Nineteen today, and nobody died of it. The Lucca silk came up from the seld before Prime and I had it out of the wrapping before I had my apron tied. …”

“Cecily has a bed, such as it is. Two pence to Walter next door for a frame he swore was oak and is not, and threepence of fresh straw off a carter at …”

“Watkin. That is the name, and I have written it three times on the same scrap to be sure of it, because if he comes back I do not want to be the woman…”

“Two Margeries on this street now, which is one more than any street needs. The new one is a midwife, Goodwife Margery, come up from the lane behind th…”

“Assumption, so no trading, which did not stop a Fleming from trying to sell me thread on the church step. I told him it was Our Lady's day and he said…”

“Claiskin. That is what the boy answers to, and I have it off the lad himself by pointing at my own chest and saying Alice twice like a fool talking to…”

“Had the raw stuff out on the board before Prime was well finished, because I wanted to and there was no other reason. Drew a length slow across the pa…”

“Grey as a dishcloth this morning and nobody buying before noon, which I knew the moment I saw the tallow men setting out their trays by the Cross. The…”

“Wool carts all morning, going up toward Cheapside four and five sacks to a load, and I stood at the window watching them longer than a woman with orde…”

“Fourteen pence. That is what Will Longe owes me and that is what he did not bring today, and I stood in my own doorway and made it pleasant for him. H…”

“Jacopo's lad left the new bolt on the board and I made myself put up the shutters and sweep before I touched it, which I call discipline and Cecily ca…”

“Four beeswax candles left in the chest, and I counted them twice because I like the look of them lying there pale and honest. Told Katerine to go to t…”

“Saturday, so the lane was full of wheels from before Prime, iron on stone right under the shutters, and I found I did not mind it. Some days that nois…”

“Mass at Bow, and I got in early enough to stand against the north wall where the stone holds its cold all through August. I put my palm flat on it lik…”

“Sixpence on the table before Terce from a draper's wife off Friday Street, paid in coin, counted out, no mention of quarter-days or her husband's conv…”

“Watkin's man came for the two bolts and I had them ready and tied before he got his breath, which felt better than it ought to. The month can turn whe…”

“Twelve years today, or near enough, since the clerk came up the stair with his quills and Father counted out his fourpence like a man paying a fine. I…”

“Cecily's new winding stick cost a penny at the turner's on Wood Street and is worth two, which has set the whole day tilting pleasant. Smooth as a lad…”

“Saturday, and I had the board to myself before Prime because Katerine sleeps like a sack of meal. Counted out what is put by. Twenty-two pence loose a…”

“Sunday, and I sold on it. Let that be between me and whoever is keeping the tally. The draper's wife from Friday Street came knocking before the secon…”