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THE CUSHION DANCE

The children first of all divide themselves into two parties.  They then form a ring, and commence dancing round a hassock which is placed, end upward, in the middle of the room.  Suddenly one party endeavors to pull the other party forward, so as to force one of their number to kick the hassock and upset it.

The player who has been unfortunate enough to touch the hassock has then to leave the circle.  The game proceeds until only two remain; if these two happen to be boys, the struggle is generally prolonged, as they can so easily jump over the hassock, and avoid kicking it.

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THE FARMYARD

This game, if carried out properly, will cause great amusement.  One of the party announces that he will whisper to each person the name of some animal, which, at a given signal, must be imitated as loudly as possible.  Instead, however, of giving the name of an animal to each, he whispers to all the company, with the exception of one, to keep perfectly silent.  To this one he whispers that the animal he is to imitate is the donkey.  After a short time, so that all may be in readiness, the signal is given.  Instead of all the party making the sounds of various animals, nothing is heard but a loud bray from the one unfortunate member of the company.

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“I point”

It is necessary in this game for the player acting the part of guesser to have a confederate; he is then able to leave the room, and on his return to mention what person was pointed at during his absence.  It is done in this way:  It is agreed between the guesser and his confederate that whoever speaks last before the door is closed upon the guesser shall be the person who is to be pointed at.  It is very seldom that any one discovers this trick.

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DIAMOND RING

The players sit in a circle with their hands placed palm to palm, the little fingers downward, between the knees.  One of the company is chosen to act the part of maid.  She takes a ring between her palms, which she keeps flat together in the same way as the rest.  She then visits each person in turn and places her hands between the palms of each, so that she is able to slip the ring into some one’s hands without the others knowing.  When she has visited each, she touches one child, and says: 

  “My lady’s lost her diamond ring;
  I fix upon you to find it.”

The child touched must then guess who has the ring.  If she guess correctly, she becomes the maid; if not, she must pay a forfeit.  The maid then touches some one else and repeats the two lines given above.  Each guesser may be allowed three trials.