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THE FEATHER

Having procured a small flossy feather, the players sit in a circle as closely together as possible.  One of the party then throws the feather as high as possible into the air, and it is the duty of all the players to prevent it from alighting on them, by blowing at it whenever it comes in their direction.  Any player whom it falls upon must pay a forfeit.

It is almost impossible to imagine the excitement that is produced by this game when it is played with spirit, and the fun is not altogether confined to the players, as it gives almost as much enjoyment to those who are looking on.

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THE GAME OF CONVERSATION

To play this game successfully, two of the company privately agree upon a word that has several meanings.  The two then enter into a conversation which is obliged to be about the word they have chosen, while the remainder of the company listen.  When a member of the party imagines that he has guessed the word, he may join in the conversation, but if he finds he is mistaken, must immediately retire.

To give an illustration:  Supposing the two players who start the conversation decide upon the word “box.”  They might talk about the people they had seen at the theater and the particular part of the house in which they were sitting.  Then they might say how nice it looked in a garden, and one might mention that it grew into big trees.  Perhaps one of the company might imagine that he had guessed the word correctly and join in, when the conversation would be immediately changed, and the two would begin to converse about a huge case in which a very great number of things were packed away.  By this time, possibly the person who joined in the conversation will leave off, completely mystified.  If, however, the word should be correctly guessed, the person guessing it chooses a partner, and they together select a word, and the game begins again.

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THE GALLERY OF STATUES

For this game all the company leave the room with the exception of two.  One of these then stands like a statue, with perhaps the assistance of a tablecloth or something similar as drapery, while the other acts as showman.

When the position is decided upon, one of the company is called in and taken on one side by the showman, and is asked his or her opinion as to the merits of the statue.  It is almost certain that some suggestion will be made; in that case he or she is made to assume the attitude suggested, and another player is called in, to whom the same question is put, and another suggestion made and adopted.  As each statue is added to the gallery, a great deal of merriment is caused, and in a short time a large collection will be obtained.