He meant to touch it very gently, as gently as a butterfly landing. But the moment his fingertip met the rim, the bell swung. Ting! The sound slipped through the doorway before he could stop it.

Ahe snatched his hand back and hunched his shoulders. The bell stayed on its bracket, rocking to and fro. It did not become quiet just because he wanted nobody to hear.

Someone will notice, he thought, his heart beating fast. He still did not think of asking Tao. He stared at the bell instead, searching for a way to keep its sound from other people.