r to do the same. Should
any of the players pass on the stick with the right hand, they must
pay a forfeit, but of course they must not be told what mistake they
have made until the stick has been passed right round the circle.

* * * * *

SALLY WATER

This game can be played by any number of children. A ring is formed
in which all join with the exception of one little girl, who kneels in
the center of the ring. The children then dance round her, singing the
following verses:

"Sally, Sally Water, sprinkle in the pan,
Rise, Sally, rise, Sally, for a young man;
Choose for the best and choose for the worst,
And choose the very one you love best.

"Now you're married I wish you joy,
First a girl and then a boy;
Seven years after, son and daughter,
Pray, young couple, come kiss together."

[Illustration]

When they come to the words, "Rise, Sally!" the child in the center
rises and chooses another from the ring. The next two lines are then
sung, and the two children in the ring dance round and kiss. Sally
then joins the ring, the second child remaining in the circle, and the
game is continued as before until all the players have acted the part
of Sally.

* * * * *

PIGEON-HOUSE GAME

Make a ring of children. In the center place five or six of the
smaller children of the party. This forms the pigeon-house and
pigeons.

Now choose one child (boy or girl) to open or shut this old-fashioned
dovecote.

He runs round the ring outside and gently pushes the children in
toward the center, and close to the pigeons, who are sitting on the
ground softly cooing (or not, just as they please).

This done he moves back. Let him be called the farmer or the farmer's
boy, if a name is wanted.

A pretty and lively tune is now started on the piano. Directly it
begins, the boy runs forward and pulls open the ring of children,
which widens out with raised arms, to form pigeon-holes.

The pigeons rise to their feet and fly out of these holes, round and
round the room.

As the music begins to stop and die away, the pigeons should return
to their dovecote, and when the last note sounds they should all be
settled again. The farmer's boy now runs round the ring, closing it in
and making all safe for the night.

This game can be played without music, and the elder children can take
their turn at being pigeons.

* * * *