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“Hands up!”

[Plate 3]

The company in this game must divide, one-half taking seats on one side of the table, and the other half on the other side; the players on one side being called the “guessers” and the players on the other side being called the “hiders.”  A button or any small object is produced, and the hiders have to pass it from hand to hand, under the table, so that those sitting opposite may not know who holds it.  When it is hidden, one of the guessers cries out, “Hands up!” Immediately the hiders must place their closed hands on the table; the guessers have then to find out which hand holds the button.  If successful, the hiders take their turn at guessing.  The person in whose hand the button is found must pay a forfeit.

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LODGINGS TO LET

The company sit in a circle, and a player stands in the center.  There is one spare chair, and the game is for this player to get possession of a vacant seat.  When the game begins, every one moves as quickly as possible to the chair next beside him or her, and as this is done all the time, it is difficult for the person who is looking for “lodgings” to find a place by slipping in among them, and his attempts will cause much amusement.

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HUNT THE RING

For this game a long piece of string is required.  On this a ring is threaded, and the ends of the string are knotted together.  The players then take the string in their hands and form a circle, while one of the company, who is called the hunter, stands in the center.  The string must be passed rapidly round and round, and the players must try to prevent the hunter finding out who holds the ring.  As soon as he has done this, he takes his place in the circle, while the person who held the ring becomes the “hunter.”

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THE STOOL OF REPENTANCE

The players sit in a circle, in the center of which a stool is placed.  One of the company goes out of the room, and the rest say all sorts of things about him.  For instance, one will say he is handsome, another that he is clever, or stupid, or vain.  The “culprit” is then called back into the room and seats himself on the stool, which is called “the stool of repentance,” and one of the players begins to tell him the different charges which have been made against him.  “Some one said you were vain; can you guess who it was?” If the culprit guesses correctly, he takes his seat in the circle and the person who made the accusation becomes the “culprit” in his stead.  If, however, the “culprit” is unable to guess correctly, he must go out of the room again while fresh charges are made against him.