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86 The Book of Indoor and Outdoor Games
makes the motions to suggest it, ties on an imaginary apron, perhaps finds a convenient sofa-pillow to thump and knead, and ends by consigning it to a supposititious oven under a chair—patted into the nearest possible similitude to a round loaf. A man may be condemned to represent "a pic-nic" all by himself. He walks as if over rough ground, cultivates an animated expression, frequently interrupted by a cross frown, as he slaps his own face in pursuit of the elusive mosquito, goes through the motions of "doing the polite" to imaginary fair ones, and, sitting uncomfortably on the ground, eats with his fingers, as if under protest, constantly getting up and sitting down, as if obligingly waiting upon the wishes of others. He wipes his face with his handkerchief and fans himself with whatever he can lay his hands upon, as if suffering from intense heat.
YES AND NO
This good old game will bear frequent repetition.
One of the party leaves the room. In his absence the rest choose a subject, which may be a person, place, object, idea, or event belonging to any period of the world's history or the domain of the imagination. Nothing is barred from choice.
The banished player is summoned, and must try by adroit questioning of each person in succession to discover what the object decided upon must be, putting his inquiries so that they may be answered by "Yes," "No," or "I do not know."
These three forms alone are allowed, which prevent such leading questions as shall reveal the mystery prematurely. The answers must be honest, on the surface at least., though misleading ones are not forbidden. |
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