and became very
interested in his work.

So did not the boy, who yawned, fidgeted in his seat, rubbed his neck
impatiently, and then bent down and tried to ease his boot, which
evidently caused him pain.

There was a pause during which Dexter closed the book and fidgeted
about; now one leg went out, now the other. Then his arms moved about
as if so full of life and energy that they must keep on the jerk.

There was another yawn, but the doctor did not hear it, he was too much
intent upon the chapter he was writing. Then a happy thought occurred
to Dexter, and he raised the heavy quarto book he had upon his knees,
placed it upon his head, and balanced it horizontally.

That was too easy, there was no fun or excitement in the feat, so he
placed it edgewise.

That was better, but very easy--both topwise and bottomwise. Harder
when tried with the front edges upon his crown, for the big book
demonstrated a desire to open.

But he dodged that, and felt happier.

He glanced at the doctor, and smiled at his profile, for in his
intentness the writer's thick bottom lip protruded far beyond the upper,
and seemed to Dexter as if trying to reach the tip of his nose.

What should he do next?

Could he balance that book on its back?

Dexter held it between his hands and cogitated. The back was round,
therefore the feat would be more difficult, and all the more enjoyable,
but would the book keep shut?

He determined to try.

Up went the book, his hands on either side keeping it close. Then there
was a little scheming to get it exactly in equilibrium; this was
attained, and as the boy sat there stiff-necked and rigid of spine, with
his eyes turned upwards, there was nothing left to do now but to remove
his hands.

This he proceeded to do by slow degrees, a finger at a time, till the
heavy work was supported only by the left and right forefingers, the
rounded back exactly on the highest point of his cranium.

"All right," said Dexter to himself, supremely happy in his success, and
with a quick movement he let his hands drop to his lap.

For one solitary moment the great quarto volume remained balanced
exactly; then, as a matter of course, it opened all at once.

_Flip! flop! bang_!

The book had given him two boxes on the sides of the head, and then,
consequent upon his sudden effort to save it, made a leap, and came
heavily upon the floor.

Dexter's face was scarlet as he dropped upon his knees to pick it u