Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 16, 1905.djvu/500

 442

Collectanea.

The one who has done this says to another, " Cuir do mheur a steach ann sin." (Put your finger in there.)

The finger having been put in, the following conversation is carried on, the one who formed the trap commencing, " C'ait an deachaidh do mhathair ? " The other answers, " Chaidh i steach do'n bhaile." " C'ait an d'fhag i 'n iuchair?" " Dh'fhag i ann an toll na glaise i." " Ciamar bheir thu as i?" "Mar chuir mi ann i."

("Where has your mother gone?" Ans. "She has gone into town." "Where did she leave the key?" Ans. "She left it in the key-hole." "How will you take it out?" Ans. "As I put it in.") The one whose finger has been caught tries to pull it out while the other does his best to keep it in the trap.

(P. 177, after line 24.)

This was also called in North Argyleshire "Cutting the Cheese in France." One, supposed not to know the trick, was asked, "Do you know how they cut cheese in France?" If he did not, he answered probably " No." The proposer of the question then taking a firm grip of the green-horn's wrist, stretching out the arm said, "So mar a bhios 'ad a gearaidh a caise anns 'an Fhraing," (This is the way they cut the cheese in France), stroking the while with the flat of his hand the arm, from shoulder to wrist, which being repeated several times, was finished with a sharp blow with the edge of the hand in the bend of the elbow.

(P. 178, after the bottom line.) The King and Queen of Sheba.

Generally reckoned a girl's game. The uninitiated are put out of the room. Two chairs are placed with space enough for another between them and a plaid spread so as to cover the seats, being kept taut where there is no chair by a player sitting on each of the other chairs. One of those outside is now brought in and introduced to the King and Queen of Sheba, who receive the newcomer graciously, but of course retain their seats. They then invite her to sit between them