Arrange the following words as per their order in an English dictionary and choose the one that comes first:
$$\text{Hardboard; Handspring; Handover; Handstand}$$

To arrange the words in alphabetical order, let's compare them letter by letter:
1. All words start with 'H' and 'a'.
2. Comparing the third letter:
* Handspring, Handover, Handstand have 'n'
* Hardboard has 'r'
Since 'n' comes before 'r', Hardboard will come last among these.

3. Now let's compare the words starting with "Hand":
* Handover (fifth letter is 'o')
* Handspring (fifth letter is 's')
* Handstand (fifth letter is 's')

Since 'o' comes before 's' in alphabetical order, Handover comes first in the dictionary.