A Ledger in the Glass

I made my way from the lower bookshelf across the polished floorboards toward the windowsill, curious to observe what lay beyond the walls as evening arrived. Resting against the painted wooden frame, I discovered a heavy brass postal scale beside a neat stack of copper five-centime coins. Their ridged rims formed a steady, orderly column. Leaning my weight carefully against the wooden sash, I tested the balance arm with one deliberate nudge of my foot. The brass tray dipped with a satisfying, metallic click. Across the glass pane, the streetlights of Geneva flickered on one by one in precise alignment. A most reassuring balance of order and enterprise.