If he can repeat all this without laughing, he delivers up his staff to some one else, and takes his seat; but if he laughs, or even smiles, he pays a forfeit before giving it up.

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BLIND MAN’S BUFF

In the olden times this game was known by the name of “Hood-man Blind,” as in those days the child that was chosen to be “blind man” had a hood placed over his head, which was fastened at the back of the neck.

In the present day the game is called “Blind Man’s Buff,” and very popular it is among young folk.

[Illustration]

Before beginning to play, the middle of the room should be cleared, the chairs placed against the wall, and all toys and footstools put out of the way.  The child having been selected who is to be “Blind Man” or “Buff,” is blindfolded.  He is then asked the question, “How many horses has your father got?” The answer is “Three,” and to the question:  “What color are they?” he replies:  “Black, white, and gray.”  All the players then cry:  “Turn round three times and catch whom you may.”  Buff accordingly spins round and then the fun commences.  He tries to catch the players, while they in their turn do their utmost to escape “Buff,” all the time making little sounds to attract him.  This goes on until one of the players is caught, when Buff, without having the bandage removed from his eyes, has to guess the name of the person he has secured.  If the guess is a correct one, the player who has been caught takes the part of “Buff,” and the former “Buff” joins the ranks of the players.

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PUSS IN THE CORNER

This game is really for five players only, but, by a little arrangement, six or seven children can take part in the fun.

Four players take their places in the different corners of the room, while the fifth stands in the middle.  If a greater number of children wish to play, other parts of the room must be named “corners,” so that there is a corner for every one.

The fun consists in the players trying to change places without being caught; but they are bound to call “Puss, puss,” first, and to beckon to the one they wish to change with.  Directly they leave their corners, the player in the center tries to get into one of them.

When the center player succeeds in getting into a corner, the one who has been displaced has to take his place in the middle of the room.

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THE POSTMAN