s absence. It is
done in this way: It is agreed between the guesser and his confederate
that whoever speaks last before the door is closed upon the guesser
shall be the person who is to be pointed at. It is very seldom that
any one discovers this trick.

* * * * *

DIAMOND RING

The players sit in a circle with their hands placed palm to palm,
the little fingers downward, between the knees. One of the company is
chosen to act the part of maid. She takes a ring between her palms,
which she keeps flat together in the same way as the rest. She then
visits each person in turn and places her hands between the palms
of each, so that she is able to slip the ring into some one's hands
without the others knowing. When she has visited each, she touches one
child, and says:

"My lady's lost her diamond ring;
I fix upon you to find it."

The child touched must then guess who has the ring. If she guess
correctly, she becomes the maid; if not, she must pay a forfeit. The
maid then touches some one else and repeats the two lines given above.
Each guesser may be allowed three trials.

* * * * *

THE FORBIDDEN LETTER

The idea of this game is to try how many sentences can be spoken
without containing a certain letter which has been agreed upon.
Supposing, for instance, the letter "f" is not to be introduced; the
first player might ask: "Is this a new game to you?" The second player
could answer: "Oh, no! I played it years ago when quite a youngster."

He would perhaps turn to the third player, and ask: "You remember it,
do you not?" The third player might answer: "Yes; but we used to play
it differently." This player, having used a word with an "f" in it,
must pay a forfeit and remain out.

The answers must be given at once, without hesitation, and the player
who avoids for the greatest length of time using a word containing the
forbidden letter wins the game.

* * * * *

GRAND MUFTI

One of the company is chosen as Grand Mufti. The others then form a
circle with the Grand Mufti in the center, and every action which he
performs, if preceded by the words, "Thus says the Grand Mufti," must
be imitated by every member of the circle.

The Grand Mufti, in order to lead one of the company astray, will
sometimes omit to say the words: "Thus says the Grand Mufti;" in this
case, if any member of the company imitate his action, he