absurd requests

The things that have to be done, are reduced to only one. Take the lock off the door, the one that always jams and needs to be slammed to work properly. Mark the latch with a scribing iron, and take the whole lot into the workshop. 

After fixing the vice and mounting it securely on the table put the latch between the jaws. Then take a file and file the latch down almost three and a half milimetres. This is hard work, because there are no good files available, the only one that is good is too narrow, it is designed for some other purpose. But after some time, and some foolish attempts with a grindstone, the latch is in its new shape.

The difficulties really start with the attempts to reassemble the lock and install it onto the door. A mistake made whilst reassembling the lock means that it needs to be taken down a second time. The lock, now assembled correctly, jams. The door will simply not open.

Take down the lock again, and try the assembly yet another time. This time it works. And the lock closes smoothly now.

Clear the tools away, and then return to the bedroom, take a short rest.

Perhaps a walk around town would be pleasant, but avoid the beggar. He has started to be greedy, and beggars should not be choosers. There is no way that this man should start to finger the clothing of his clients, and make absurd requests. The heavy rain makes walking unpleasant.