A wise man will keep his eyes on the floor and sit still.

For amusement he may pick coal lump by lump out of the scuttle with the tongs and pile it in a little heap in the fender, keeping count of the lumps, which must all be put back again, one by one and very carefully.

He may set himself sums if he cares to work them out; he may talk to himself or to the cat if she chooses to visit him; and if his trade has been that of an artist, he may sketch in the air with his forefinger; but that is too much like drawing a pig with the eyes shut.

He may go to his bookshelves and count his books, ranging them in order of their size; or to his wardrobe and count his shirts, laying them in piles of two or three on the bed, as they suffer from frayed cuffs or lost buttons.
Even this entertainment wearies after a time; and all the times are very, very long.
Dick was allowed to sort a tool-chest where Mr.Beeton kept hammers, taps and nuts, lengths of gas-pipes, oil-bottles, and string.
'If I don't have everything just where I know where to look for it, why, then, I can't find anything when I do want it.

You've no idea, sir, the amount of little things that these chambers uses up,' said Mr.Beeton.
Fumbling at the handle of the door as he went out: 'It's hard on you, sir, I do think it's hard on you.