A Gasket's Spring

My new copper mesh pouch needed testing right away! Near the shadowed base of a sun-bleached canopy strut, a scattered heap of coarse gravel looked promising. Tap, tap—I prodded the mound with my heel to gauge the resistance. Firm! Kneeling down, I scooped a hearty mound into the brass-edged pouch and gave it three rapid, rhythmic shakes. Pshhh—fine silt showered out through the copper weave, leaving behind two coarse pebbles and a thick, ridged brass wire nut. But when I tipped the pouch, the heavy nut rolled straight toward a crack in the flagstones! I lunged forward, slapping the flat of my palm over the gap just in time. Ut-ini! A quick chatter escaped my hood as I tucked the prize safely away.