Page:Helen Leah Reed - Napoleons young neighbour.djvu/117

Rh "Let us play the game of blindman's buff you have so often promised. Then I will forgive you for not having the ball, and never speak of it again."

"Blindman's buff, as you describe it, did not seem to be just the game for me. Can't you think of something else?"

"But you promised, and your room is splendid for it, and it wouldn't be any fun without you."

Seeing that resistance was useless, the Emperor at last consented to play. He began by binding his fine white handkerchief over Betsy's eyes.

"Can you see?"

"I cannot see you."

But Betsy, although she spoke truly in saying that she could not see the Emperor, could yet detect a glimmer of light. Napoleon waved his hands before her eyes, and the shadows and rush of air made her start.

"Ah, leetle monkey, you can see me!" he exclaimed, and he put another handkerchief over her eyes.

Then, with Betsy in the middle of the room, the game began. Soon the young