Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 5 1887.djvu/60

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This is much too common to require a description. I will therefore only give the doggerel, which is recited by the holder of the handkerchief as he walks around the ring:—

Throws the handkerchief, and chases the girl.

Four children hold a handkerchief by the four corners, one moves a finger over it, saying, as fast as possible—

Any player making a mistake pays a forfeit.

A very pretty version of this old English game is often played at juvenile parties in Cornwall.

One child is chosen to remain in the room, whilst the others go outside and consult together as to whom shall hold the ball (some small thing). They then troop in, with their hands either hidden under the skirts of their dresses, or clasped in such a way that Lady Queen Anne, by looking at them, cannot tell which has it; all repeating—