The white paste filled every hole where the iron bracket had gripped the wood.

I reached into my tool cabinet and took out a small tub of white interior touch-up paint and a short nylon brush.

I dipped the bristles in the paint and dabbed two thin coats over the wet compound until the patch blended completely with the rest of the wall.

I picked up a stiff corn broom from the corner and swept the plaster dust into a small pile by the floor drain.

I scooped the dust into a metal dustpan and dumped it into the green trash can outside the side door.