Little Men: Life at Plumfield with Jo's Boys by Louisa May Alcott

"What in the world is that boy doing? " said Mrs. Jo to herself, as she watched Dan running round the half-mile triangle as if for a wager. He was all alone, and seemed possessed by some strange desire to run himself into a fever, or break his neck; for, after several rounds, he tried leaping walls, and turning somersaults up the avenue, and finally dropped down on the grass before the door as if exhausted.

"Are you training for a race, Dan? " asked Mrs. Jo, from the window where she sat.