he couch in this room?" said
Mr. Maynard, gravely, and seven pairs of legs scampered for the couch.

Under its pillows they found three big _cocoanuts_, and Mr. Maynard
declared that completed the hunt.

Meantime, the big, round table in the middle of the room had been
cleared of its books and papers, and the children were directed to empty
their baskets of nuts on the table, taking care that none should roll
off the edge. The seven basketsful were tumbled out, and a goodly heap
they made.

Then the seven sat round the table, and to each one was given a tiny
pair of candy tongs, such as comes with the confectioner's boxes.

"This is a new game," explained Mr. Maynard, "and it's called Jacknuts.
It is played just the same as Jackstraws. Each, in turn, must take nuts
from the heap with the tongs. If you jar or jostle another nut than the
one you're taking away, it is then the next player's turn."

Of course they all knew how to play Jackstraws, so they understood at
once, but this was much more fun.

"The first ones are so easy, let's give Rosy Posy the first chance,"
said Dick Fulton, and Mr. Maynard, with a nod of approval at the boy,
agreed to this plan. So Rosy Posy, her fat little hand grasping the tiny
tongs, succeeded in getting nearly a dozen nuts into her basket.

As Dorothy Adams was not quite as old as Kitty, she took her turn next,
and then all followed in accordance with their ages.

It was a fascinating game. Some of the little hazelnuts or the slender
peanuts were easy to nip with the tongs, but the big English walnuts, or
queer-shaped Madeira nuts were very difficult. Great delicacy of touch
was necessary, and the children found the new game enthralling.

After her first turn Rosy Posy ran away from the game, and Mr. Maynard
took her place.

"Oho, Father," laughed Kitty, "I thought you'd get them all, but you're
no more successful at it than we are."

"No," said Mr. Maynard, looking with chagrin at his small heap of nuts,
"my fingers are too old and stiff, I think."

"So are mine," said Marjorie, laughing.

"You're too fat, Dumpling," said her father. "Kitty's slim little claws
seem to do the best work."

"I think it's a steady hand that counts," said Dick; "watch me now!"

With great care, and very slowly, he picked off several nuts that were
daintily balanced on the other nuts, but at last he joggled one, and it
was King's turn.

"I believe in going fast," said King, and like a whirlwi