The answers may be something like the following:  (1) Lost a postage-stamp, (2) by sister Jane, (3) at three in the morning, (4) at St. Louis, (5) it was found by a policeman, (6) rather the worse for wear, (7) at dinner-time; (8) the reward was a kiss.

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“Animal, vegetable, or Mineral?”

This is a capital game for a large party, for it is both instructive and amusing.  Two sides are picked, one has to guess what word or sentence the remainder of the company has chosen.  They go out of the room, and when the subject has been decided upon, return and ask a question of each of the other side in turn.  The answer must be either “Yes” or “No,” and in no case should more words be used, under penalty of paying a forfeit.  The first important point to be found out is whether the subject is “Animal,” “Vegetable,” or “Mineral.”  Supposing, for instance, the subject chosen is a cat which is sleeping in the room by the fire, the questions and answers might be like the following:  “Is the subject chosen an animal?” “Yes.”  “Wild animal?” “No.”  “Domestic animal?” “Yes.”  “Common?” “Yes.”  “Are there many to be seen in this town?” “Yes.”  “Have you seen many this day?” “Yes.”  “In this house?” “No.”  “Have you seen many in the road?” “Yes.”  “Do they draw carts?” “No.”  “Are they used for working purposes?” “No.”  “Is the subject a pet?” “Yes.”  “Have they one in the house?” “Yes.”  “In this room?” “Yes.”  “Is it lying in front of the fire at the present time?” “Yes.”  “Is the subject you all thought of the cat lying in front of the fire in this room?” “Yes.”  The subject having been guessed, another one is chosen and the game proceeds.  The questions are limited to twenty, but it is hardly ever necessary to use that number.

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HUNT THE SLIPPER

[Illustration]

The players seat themselves in a circle on the floor, having chosen one of their number to remain outside the circle.  The children seated on the floor are supposed to be cobblers, and the one outside is the customer who has brought his shoe to be mended.  He hands it to one of them, saying: 

“Cobbler, cobbler, mend my shoe; Get it done by half-past two.”

The cobblers pass the shoe round to each other as quickly as they can, taking care that the customer does not see which of them has it.  When the customer comes to fetch it he is told that it is not ready.  He pretends to get angry and says he will take it as it is.  He must then try to find it, and the cobbler who has it must try to pass it to his neighbor without its being seen by the customer.  The person upon whom the shoe is found must become the customer, while the customer takes his place in the circle on the floor.

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FLYING