Snappy Silver Swing

I waddled back indoors through the patio door and marched straight to the dark wooden writing desk! Resting right beside a stack of envelopes was a shiny miniature Newton's cradle with five silver steel spheres suspended on thin cords. Hop, balance, tap! I planted my wooden-pattern feet on the polished mahogany frame and gave the leftmost ball an eager shove with my plush belly. Clack! It dropped back, kissed the center row, and pop—the ball on the far end leaped right into the air with a crisp metallic chime! Clack-tick, clack-tick! The little silver pendulum beat out the snappiest bedtime rhythm. I leaned my plush back against a smooth brass paperweight, swaying gently along until the steady swings grew peaceful and still!