A Useful Fastener

I gripped the woven spine of a heavy hardcover book and hauled myself up onto the bottom shelf. A loose metal binder clip lay near the edge beside a brass screw. Squatting down, I set my bowcaster against a book spine and tested the clip's spring with both hands. It snapped shut with a crisp, solid bite that made me utter an approving rumble. I slid the clip through my satchel strap where it held tight, securing a reliable piece of hardware for later.