cond person
then added a line rhyming with the first, the third started a fresh
rhyme, and so it went on. When read, it of course made the greatest
farrago of nonsense imaginable. Ellen then proposed "Cento," a Spanish
or Italian game, which requires great readiness of memory, and a large
acquaintance with poetry. One person quotes a well-known line, the next
another that rhymes with it, and so on, making some sort of connection
whenever it can be done; but after trying it, and finding that only
three or four of the eldest could think of appropriate passages, they
voted Cento _a bore_, Cornelia remarking that there was great stupidity
somewhere; of course they could not think it was in themselves, and
therefore it must be in the game.

Mary said that there was another game requiring a good memory, but the
advantage of it was, that the more you forgot the more merriment you
made; if you were not witty yourself, you were the cause of wit in
others. It was called _Genteel Lady_, and was played by one person
politely bowing to his neighbor, and reciting a certain formula, which
must be repeated, with an addition, by the next, and so round the
circle; whenever the least mistake or omission was made, the person had
to drop the title of Genteel Lady, or Genteel Gentleman, and putting a
horn of twisted paper in the hair or button-hole, could now glory in the
dignity of being a One-horned Lady or Gentleman. Very soon horns become
so plenty that few can claim any gentility; as the description proceeds,
and becomes more complicated, it is perfectly laughable, and the whole
party look ludicrous enough.

"Here is a whole bundle of lamp-lighters," said Cornelia; "let us begin
the game, I think it must be comical."

Mary bowed to Tom Green, and commenced. "Good evening, genteel
gentleman, ever genteel, I, a genteel lady, ever genteel, come from that
genteel lady, ever genteel, to tell you that she owns a little dog with
hair on its back."

Tom bowed to Ellen: "Good evening, genteel lady, ever genteel, I, a
genteel gentleman, ever genteel, come from that genteel lady, ever
genteel (bowing to Mary), to tell you that she owns a little dog with
hair on its back, and a red tongue in its mouth."

Ellen took up the play: "Good evening, genteel gentleman, ever genteel,
I, a genteel lady, ever genteel, come from that genteel gentleman, ever
genteel, to tell you that he owns a little dog with hair on its back, a
red tongue in its mouth, a