A Rolled Paper Tube

I walked past the edge of the rug to see what lay near the tall wooden shelves. Halfway tucked beneath a low woven basket, a sturdy brown cardboard cylinder was resting on its side. I crouched down and pressed both hands lightly against its curved surface. Giving it a gentle nudge, it rolled forward smoothly over the wooden floorboards with a low, steady rumble until it bumped softly into a stack of notebooks. I reached inside the open rim and felt the ridged spiral pattern along its inner wall, neat and surprisingly cool.