Through the Glass

A heavy round magnifying glass was resting across a leather notebook on the study desk. Thick convex lens, solid brass rim. I stepped close and peered straight down through the center. The ruled lines on the paper swelled into canyon-deep trenches. Fascinating optical shift. I hauled a shiny copper penny from the pencil tray and shoved it directly beneath the glass. Shifted back two inches—focus locked. Microscopic scratches across the metal face flared up like jagged ridges. Tiny stamped letters looked carved into stone. When the heavy brass handle started to roll off the notebook edge, I caught it with one shoulder and wedged an eraser tight beneath the grip. Stable viewing angle secured.