his belly bulged against its sharp mahogany edge and his knees nudged its underside ; as his thighs twitched impatiently he was able to bounce it up and down , as solid and heavy as it was , and his hands like slabs of raw meat pounded it back down again ; his complexion was a fierce red , even when his temper was not roused , and his hair a shock of ginger , blazing about his skull and covering his cheeks and chin .