Calibrating the Night Clock

After walking home from the library, I paused on the wooden nightstand where a small brass travel clock ticked quietly in the lamp glow. Its circular face had tilted slightly to the right. I braced both hands against the cool metal rim, nudging it with measured pressure until the twelve numeral aligned vertically with the edge of the tabletop. Stepping around to the back, I gripped the miniature brass key and completed two smooth clockwise rotations until the spring offered firm resistance. With its cadence now steady and true, the room feels thoroughly settled for the night.