go on in this way
through the alphabet either regularly or at random, as he likes. Any
subject--names of kings, queens, poets, soldiers, etc.--may be chosen.
The questions and answers must follow as quickly as possible. Whoever
fails to answer in time, pays a forfeit.

* * * * *

RULE OF CONTRARY

This is a simple game for little children. It is played either with
a pocket-handkerchief, or, if more than four want to play, with a
table-cloth or small sheet. Each person takes hold of the cloth; the
leader of the game holds it with the left hand, while with the right
he makes pretense of writing on the cloth while he says: "Here we go
round by the rule of contrary. When I say 'Hold fast,' let go; and
when I say 'Let go,' hold fast." The leader then calls out one or
other of the commands, and the rest must do the opposite, of what he
says. Any one who fails must pay a forfeit.

* * * * *

SIMON SAYS

Seat yourselves in a circle and choose one of the company to be the
leader, or Simon. His duty is to order all sorts of different things
to be done, the funnier the better, which must be obeyed only when the
order begins with "Simon says." As, for instance, "Simon says: 'Thumbs
up!'" which, of course, all obey; then perhaps comes: "Thumbs down!"
which should not be obeyed, because the order did not commence with
"Simon says."

Each time this rule is forgotten a forfeit must be paid. "Hands over
eyes," "Stamp the right foot," "Pull the left ear," etc., are the kind
of orders to be given.

* * * * *

THE BIRD-CATCHER

To play this game you must first decide which one of you is to be the
Bird-catcher; the other players then each choose the name of a bird,
but no one must choose the owl, as it is forbidden. All the players
then sit in a circle with their hands on their knees, except the
Bird-catcher, who stands in the center, and tells a tale about birds,
taking care to specially mention the ones he knows to have been chosen
by the company. As each bird's name is called, the owner must imitate
its note as well as he can, but when the owl is named, all hands must
be put behind the chairs, and remain there until the next bird's name
is mentioned. When the Bird-catcher cries "All the birds," the players
must together give their various imitations of birds. Should any
player fail to give the cry when his bird is named, or forget t