on top of the other, the other on top of the one

[suprunp]

“What’s this?” he said.
“Rice Krispies.”
“And this?”
“Paprika.”
“I see,” said Ford, solemnly, and put the two items back down, on top of the other, but that didn’t seem to balance properly, so he put the other on top of the one and that seemed to work.
(The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy; Douglas Adams)

Have I understood it right?
He put, for example, "Rice Krispies" on top of the "Paprika", and then "Paprika" on top of "Rice Krispies".

Thanks.

[5jj]

I think that there is pehaps a missing 'one' -

“I see,” said Ford, solemnly, and put the two items back down, one on top of the other, but that didn’t seem to balance properly, so he put the other on top of the one and that seemed to work.