A quiet slide

I padded back inside from the brisk evening air, letting the front latch settle shut with a muted click. Down near the floor on the low oak shoe bench, a long, polished brass shoehorn was balanced across the rim of an old leather walking boot. I took my time, shifting my plush weight forward until my snout met the cool, tapering curve. With a slow, measured nudge, the heavy brass tipped and slid smoothly down inside the leather collar, coming to rest against the inner sole with a deep, muffled tap. My neck chains clinked softly in the hush. Leaning my chin against the boot's worn tongue, I let the hallway stillness deepen around me.