Securing the Casement

A faint rhythmic rattle from the study window breached the room's silence. Slipping past the curtain hem, I scaled the fluted corner trim to reach the high oak sill. The elevated vantage offered a clear line of sight over the dark perimeter below. The brass casement stay had drifted loose, its indexed arm trembling in the draft. The locking thumbscrew was backed out by two turns. Bracing my boots against the beveled sill, I took hold of the cold knurled collar with both gauntlets. I applied firm, clockwise torque until the pin seated flush into its machined slot. The vibration ceased. The casement is sealed. Night watch begins.