d sacred to St. Valentine.

On that auspicious eve the Danish lover sends his lady a bunch of
snow-drops (_vinter-gjaeks_), (winter jokes they are called, because
they peep out while it is yet winter and try to hoax people into
thinking spring has come), with a card attached bearing a verse or
sentiment and as many pin pricks as there are letters in his name. If
she cannot guess the name from this clew she is fooled (_gjaekket_), and
at Easter must pay the sender a forfeit of colored eggs.

This quaint bit of folk-lore can be used in a novel Valentine supper.

The invitations, bearing a bunch of painted snow-drops in one corner,
invite you to a "Danish Valentine supper."

Cherry and white are the national colors of Denmark, and these should be
used in the dining-room. The candles have cherry shades and in the
center of the snowy cloth have a square of cherry velvet, on which
snow-drops and ferns are banked with dainty effect. The menu cards are
shaped like hearts, tied with a knot of cherry ribbon and edged with
painted snow-drops. Across the top in gold letters is the word
"_welbekomin_" (may it agree with you.)

At each place have a tiny heart-shaped cup of cherry crepe paper,
holding a little bunch of snow-drops. The ices are in the shape of
hearts with a candied cherry in the center of each. Heart-shaped cakes
can be iced in pink, and mingled in the salad have tiny hearts cut from
slices of red beef.

When all are assembled in the parlor give each guest a square white
envelope enclosing a card having a knot of snow-drops in one corner with
cherry ribbon, and containing a verse and numerous pin pricks. Each one
must guess from these the name of his companion for supper.

Here are some of the verses, some of which are translations from the
Danish.

"Though a child of winter's cold and storm,
I bring to you love-greetings warm.
From whom? Ah, yes!
That shall you guess!
And that you may the sender surely know,
Count all the little pin-pricks signed below."
.... ......

* * * * *

"Little maiden fair and neat,
Here on stalk so light,
Fine as silk by fairies spun,
Hangs a snowdrop white;
From a friend I come--
Tell me now--from whom?"
.... .. ......

* * * * *

"Love's first kisses are the snow-drops,
Ringing here like fairy bells;
Let thy heart bend low and listen