ke the place of charades, sleight-of-hand performances,
magic lantern shows, "dumb crambo," et cetera, as the parlor amusement
par excellence. "Formal drinking" can be played by from one to fifteen
people in a house of ordinary dimensions; for a larger number it is
generally better to provide a garage, a large yard, and special police,
fire and plate glass insurance. The game is played with glasses, ice,
and a dozen bottles of either whisky or gin.

The sport is begun by the host's wife, who says, "How would you all like
to play a little bridge?" This is followed by silence. Another wife then
says, "I think it would be awfully nice to play a little bridge." One of
the men players then steps forward and says "I think it would be awfully
nice to have a little drink."

An "It" is then selected--always, by courtesy, the host. The "It" then
says, "How would you all like to have a little drink?" The men players
then answer in the affirmative and the "It's" wife says, "Now Henry
dear, please--remember what happened last time." The "It" replies, "Yes,
dear," and goes into the cellar, while the "It's" wife, after providing
each guest with a glass, puts away the Dresden china clock, the
porcelain parrot. and the gold fish globe.

Sides are chosen--usually with the husbands on one "team" and the wives
on the other. The purpose of the game is for the "husbands', team" to
try to drink up all the "It's" liquor before the "wives' team" can get
them to go home.

When the "It" returns with the liquor he pours out a portion for each
player and at a given signal all drink steadily for several minutes. The
"It's" wife then says, "Now--how about a few rubbers of bridge?" She is
immediately elected "team captain" for the rest of the evening. It is
the duty of the "team captain" to provide cracked ice and water, to get
ready the two spare bedrooms, to hold Wallie Spencer's hand, to keep
Eddie Armstrong from putting his lighted cigaret ends on the piano, and
to break up the party as soon as possible. The game generally ends when
(1) the liquor is all gone, (2) the "It" (or three guests) have passed
"out," (3) Wallie Spencer starts telling about his war experiences.
"Informal" drinking needs, of course, no such elaborate preparations
and can be played anywhere and any time there is anything to drink. The
person who is caught with the liquor is "It," and the object of the game
is to take all the liquor away from the "It" as soon as possible.