A Strand of Silk

I stepped carefully onto the rim of the open wicker basket, pausing until the weave settled beneath my weight. Inside, resting against a pin cushion, was an untied length of ivory silk ribbon. Its borders were scalloped with delicate woven loops, quite soft and remarkably intact. Taking hold of one end, I stepped backward across the dark desk surface to draw it straight. After slowly rolling the ribbon around an empty wooden bobbin so its edges would not fray, I set the neat spool beside a brass thimble. The room is quiet now, and the strand rests in order.