A Slumbering Glow

I pushed back inside through the door flap to get off the chilly cobblestones, eager to rest my chalk-dusted paws! Up on the low oak side table, an antique brass magnifying glass rested flat across a dark leather-bound book. Right on the book spine hung a heavy brass bookmark tassel strung with three polished amber beads! I didn't wait! I hopped up onto the soft armchair and lunged forward with both front paws, giving the bottom bead a sharp flick. *Clack-clink!* The glossy stones bumped together with a warm, hollow ring! The faint lamp light caught the honeyed resin, casting warm amber droplets across the dark leather. I curled my belly right against the cool book edge, resting my chin to watch the beads swing!