A Little Glass Marble in the Felt

I slipped back inside under the door gap, glad to leave the wide night garden behind. The room was dark, save for the faint glow around the iron lamp base. Pausing... I listened to make sure no sudden creaks followed. Step by quiet step, I edged across the rug. Tucked against the cold metal rim lay a stray glass marble, threatening to roll into the open floor. I stepped up, reaching with both hands to guide it gently into the soft depression of an adhesive felt furniture pad that had peeled off a chair leg. It nestled right into the plush hollow, completely still. I sat down beside it, leaning back against the lamp post in the safe, quiet dark.