Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 16, 1905.djvu/501

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and initiate a conversation, watching their opportunity to rise simultaneously so that the other falls to the ground. In this case it is not merely the drop which may cause merriment, but if well done the conversation made by the king and queen to keep the victim unsuspicious and put her entirely off her guard.

Making Nuns.

Also a girls' game. Having found a " tender-foot " who expresses herself desirous of being made a nun, she is taken out and another prepares her for the ceremony by tying a white handkerchief round her head and shrouding her in a sheet. Meanwhile those in the secret spread a shawl or plaid on the floor and kneel round the edge of it. One is nominated Mother Superior who kneels free of the edge. The novice is brought in and kneels on the shawl, facing the Superior, who questions her as to her various qualifications, name, age, know- ledge of knitting, love affairs, etc. This having been finished, she is solemnly asked " Do you desire to become a nun ? " Naturally the answer is " yes," but the- question is repeated " Are you quite sure you would like to be a nun ? " The answer again is " yes," when those behind her suddenly draw the shawl, of course throwing her on her hands and face.

(P. 178, at bottom.) Hard Knuckles.

From Kintyre. A boys' play. One holds his hand out, palm upwards and clenches his fist firmly, the other shuts his fist and strikes downwards with all his force with his knuckles on the exposed knuckles of the other. They have stroke about till one gives in.

Hard Liefs. (Jamieson's "Looves," 'the palms of the hand.')

Also practised by boys in Kintyre. One holds out his extended hand, palm upwards, the other comes down on it with his hand, back downmost, striking with his nails on the fingers of the extended palm. It is stroke about till one of the players is contented.