'I work up at the lumber-camp most days, and I'll tell you this: I'm always getting splinters. I hate it! These tiny little pieces of wood are always flying up from the wood as we cut it, and they get their revenge through annoyance! Small annoyances, to be sure, but after a full day of it, you'd be sick to death of the things, and I've been working there going on three weeks now!

'And that's not all! The axes we use have wooden handles, and if you don't get splinters from gripping those things, then I'm a dwarf! I'm just about at the end of my wits!

'If you know a tailor of even small skill, I could do with a pair of padded gloves. I'll pay you for the trouble, of course, with coins and a few materials, and I'll be in your debt!'