Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 16, 1905.djvu/242

 204 Collectanea,

the two on the right of the line represent Maggie's father and mother. Maggie standing before the rest with her companion covers her face with her apron and pretends to weep. The line advancing and retiring sing —

" O what is Maggie weeping for, etc., The cook of frosty morning."

Her companion explains because she wants to see her lad, etc., " the cook of frosty morning." Maggie asks the two parents, " Father and mother may I go, etc.? " and the father and mother, supported by the rest of the line, give her permission. " Yes, my darling, etc.," and the companion then sings,

" Knock about your tails and away you go, etc.. The cook of frosty morning. "

All but Maggie and the companion run away, Maggie pursues, and the one she ' tigs ' becomes ' companion,' and the former com- panion plays 'Maggie.'

COCK-FIGHTING.

(P, 87, after line 26.)

An old man from the Highlands of Aberdeenshire of which he was a native, and now (1902) over eighty years of age, tells us that Cock-fighting as a school ploy at Shrovetide was well within his recollection.

" We yees'd tae hae cockfechtin' on ' Brosie'. When I wuz at the skule, I hae seen as mony as a score tae'n tae the skule that day, an' we daurna tak yin that wasna oor ain, nor yin that wasna brocht up on oor ain biggin. The best fechter as shune as it beat yin had anither pit doon till't, an' the cocks that widna fecht, the maister got. The yin that had the cock that focht best wus King."

CONCEALED OBJECT RECOVERING.

(P. 89, after line 19.)

Hunt the Slipper

Is played in some places under the name of " Shuffle the Brogue," the players sitting very close together, keeping their