But the book will be equally useful to grownups.  The author has seen staid, respectable people play “Lubin Loo” with as much zest and spirit as the youngest group of children.  All of us have played “Going to Jerusalem.”  The spirit must be there; there is nothing so contagious as the spirit of play.

[Illustration:  Hide—­then go seek]

[Illustration]

TWIRL THE TRENCHER

This is a game which almost any number of children can play.

The players seat themselves in a circle, and each takes the name of some town, or flower, or whatever has been previously agreed upon.  One of the party stands in the middle of the circle, with a small wooden trencher, or waiter, places it upon its edge, and spins it, calling out as he does so the name which one of the players has taken.  The person named must jump up and seize the trencher before it ceases spinning, but if he is not very quick the trencher will fall to the ground, and he must then pay a forfeit.  It is then his turn to twirl the trencher.

A very similar game to this is “My Lady’s Toilet.”  The only difference is that each player must take the name of some article of a lady’s dress, such as shawl, earring, brooch, bonnet, etc.

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CROSS QUESTIONS AND CROOKED ANSWERS

To play this game it is best to sit in a circle, and until the end of the game no one must speak above a whisper.

The first player whispers a question to his neighbor, such as:  “Do you like roses?” This question now belongs to the second player, and he must remember it.

The second player answers:  “Yes, they smell so sweetly,” and this answer belongs to the first player.  The second player now asks his neighbor a question, taking care to remember the answer, as it will belong to him.  Perhaps he has asked his neighbor, “Are you fond of potatoes?” and the answer may have been, “Yes, when they are fried!”

So that the second player has now a question and an answer belonging to him, which he must remember.

The game goes on until every one has been asked a question and given an answer, and each player must be sure and bear in mind that it is the question he is asked, and the answer his neighbor gives, which belong to him.

At the end of the game each player gives his question and answer aloud, in the following manner: 

“I was asked:  ‘Do you like roses?’ and the answer was:  ’Yes, when they are fried!’” The next player says:  “I was asked:  ’Are you fond of potatoes?’ and the answer was:  ’Yes, they are very pretty, but they don’t wear well.’”

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ORANGES AND LEMONS

Two of the players join hands, facing each other, having agreed privately which is to be “Oranges” and which “Lemons.”  The rest of the party form a long line, standing one behind the other, and holding each other’s dresses or coats.  The first two raise their hands so as to form an arch, and the rest run through it, singing as they run: