He produced what looked like some rolls of ribbon, and six pairs of scissors.  But it wasn’t ribbon, it was the white paper that comes rolled in with ribbon, when bought by the piece.  This paper was about an inch wide and he had enough to cut six pieces, each about ten feet long.

These pieces he fastened by one end to the wainscoting with thumb tacks, and giving the other end of each piece to one of the children, he bade them stand in a row, far enough away to hold their paper strips out straight across the room.

Then, at his given signal, each one was to begin to cut, with the scissors, straight through the middle of the paper, lengthwise, the game being to cut clear to the end without tearing the paper.  Of course, if carefully done, this would divide each paper into two strips of equal width.

But the game was also to see which reached the end first, and the winner was promised a prize.  If the scissors inadvertently cut off either strip, the player was “out.”

“Go!” cried Cousin Jack, “and strive only for the greatest speed consistent with safety.  If you go too fast, you’re very likely to snip off your strips; and if you go too slow, somebody else will beat you.  Hurry up, Ruth, you’re going evenly, but you’ll never get there at that rate!  Oh, hold up, Harry! if you go so fast you’ll snip it off.  You’re terribly close to one edge, now!  Ah, there you go! one strip is chopped right off.  Well, never mind, my boy, stand here by me, and watch the others.  What, Tom out, too?  Well, well, Tom, the more haste the less speed!  Careful, Midget, you’ll be out in a minute.  There you go!  Out it is, for Mehitabel!  Well, we have three still in the running.  Easy does it, King!  You’re getting along finely.  Hurry up, Ruth.  You can go faster than that, and still be safe.  Dick just says nothing and saws wood.  That’s it, Dick, slow and sure!”

Those who were “out” watched the others with breathless interest.  It would have been an easy task had there been no competition.  To cut a long paper into two strips is not difficult, but to cut that paper in haste, with others looking on and commenting, is more trying.  The scissors seem bewitched.  The paper twists and curls, and one’s fingers seem to be all thumbs.  King was doing well, but he gave an impatient jerk as the paper curled round his finger, and then he was out.

Dick worked steadily, and Ruth plodded slowly along.

As they neared the end at the same time the watchers grew greatly excited.

“I bet on Ruth!” cried King; “go it, Ruth! get up! g’lang there!”

“Go on, Dick,” cried Marjorie.  “Clk!  Clk! go ’long!”

On sped the cutters, but just as it seemed as if they must finish at the same time, Dick gave a little nervous jerk at his paper, and it tore right off.

“Oh,” said Midget, “you’re out, Dicksie!”

And then Ruth, slowly and carefully, cut the last few inches of her paper, and held up her two strips triumphantly.  She looked so sweet and happy about it that they all declared she ought to have been the winner, and Dick said, shyly:  “I’m glad you won.”