158 HOME AMUSEMENTS.

clear, dell, bell, all endeavour to make a complete
verse, of which the words given shall compose the
rhyme.

When all are ready the papers must be thrown in a
heap, and read aloud, and those who have not succeeded
must be fined, the fine being the recital of a piece of
poetry. One of the papers might read thus:

A gentle brook was murmuring near,
Afar was heard the tinkling bell,
And peaceful zephyrs, pure and clear,
Refreshed us in that shady dell.
Another would be quite different:
Fairies in the distant dell,
As they drink the waters clear,

From the yellow cowslip bell,
What have they to heed or fear ?

 

DUMB MOTIONS.

One child leaves the room, while the others fix on
some trade, which they intend to represent by their
actions when she returns. Perhaps a linendraper’s
business is the one chosen; one measures off yards