_Directions._--Four little girls are selected to visit grandmamma, and to carry messages and presents to her. Grandma's 'house' is made by a ring of children (see Frontispiece, and description of same on p. 31), and the girl who is to be 'Grandma' sits in the ring knitting. An old-fashioned kerchief and cap help to make the 'grandma' more real, and a pair of spectacles adds further to the effect. If the 'coach' game be used in conjunction with this, the little girls may be the 'pa.s.sengers'

and go in the 'coach' to grandma's house. The 'door' (see description of Frontispiece on p. 31) should be opened by a little maid, then the four children enter and repeat the lines:

CHILDREN ALTOGETHER Good morning, grandma, we have come With messages from all at home.

FIRST CHILD Mamma sends love, and I'm to say She hopes you are quite well to-day.

[Grandma replies suitably.]

SECOND CHILD These flowers, dear grandma, are for you, [Gives her flowers.]

In my small garden bed they grew.

GRANDMA Thank you, my dear.

THIRD CHILD [_handing a basket_]

And here are cakes that Nellie made To send to grandmamma, she said.

FOURTH CHILD [_giving basket to grandma_]

Ripe fruit I bring for grandmamma, These pears and plums are from papa.

When 'grandma' has thanked each of the children, they take leave of her and return home.

The Guessing Rhyme, No. 92, might be given after playing the above game.

27. _PAYING CALLS_

_Directions._--A ring of children form the 'house' (see Frontispiece, and description of same on p. 31) or a cla.s.sroom may be used for it. A few chairs and a table should be placed in the 'house,' and there should be a 'mother' and 'children.' A 'lady' (represented by a little girl) comes and knocks at the 'door,' and the 'mother' opens it.

VISITOR How do you do, dear Mrs. Brown?

I've called upon you going to town.

MOTHER I'm quite well, thank you, Mrs. May, And glad to see you this fine day.

The visitor then walks in and speaks to the children one by one; they should answer without hesitation. Children are generally very shy and awkward when addressed by strangers, but they should be encouraged to reply with confidence and ease. Perhaps these little games may help to give them confidence.

The game 'Paying Calls' might appropriately be followed by 'Afternoon Tea'; both these are played with great glee by the little girls.

28. _AFTERNOON TEA_

The tea-tray is brought in by one of the children and placed on a table near the 'mother,' who pours out the tea. One of the children carries a cup to the visitor, and hands it to her, asking:--

Will you take a cup of tea?

VISITOR Yes, refreshing it will be.

[Takes the cup and says 'Thank you.']

A plate or d'oyley may be placed in the lap of the visitor for the bread or biscuit, which the child hands, saying:--

Bread and b.u.t.ter, biscuits, cake.

VISITOR Please a biscuit I will take.

The 'mother' may serve the children with tea, or there may be other visitors calling, then the time of the children will be occupied in attending to them.

When Mrs. May has finished, the child says:--

Shall I take your cup away, And your plate, too, Mrs. May?

[Takes them away.]

By-and-by the visitor takes leave of the 'mother' and children, bidding each 'Good-day,' and the 'door' is opened for her by one of the children.

29. _SPRING FLOWERS_

All the children join to form a large ring, and one of the taller girls stands in the centre to represent 'Spring.' The twelve flowers mentioned in the verses should be represented by twelve children standing at intervals in the ring. Before commencing the game, the child who represents 'Spring' might appropriately repeat the lines of Guessing Rhyme No. 74, p. 95.

The 'Flowers' step forward from the larger ring as the name of each is mentioned in the verses, and form a smaller circle round 'Spring.' The children should join hands to close up the gap which is left by each 'Flower' as it steps forward to join the small circle.

A Daffodil am I, And I a Daisy small; A Bluebell I come here, I'm b.u.t.tercup so tall.

The Cowslip should come next, And then the Violet sweet, The Snowdrop fair and white, The Crocus trim and neat.

The starry Celandine, Anemone, so fair, The yellow Primrose, sweet, Lily, with fragrance rare.

The 'Flowers' then join hands and repeat the verse following:--

Whene'er Spring shows her face The flowers all come again, We cl.u.s.ter round the 'Spring,'

[All the Flowers bow.]

We follow in her train.

[Flowers turn to right.]

'Spring' marches round inside the larger ring, and the 'Flowers' follow in order.

30. _SUMMER FLOWERS_

This game is played like the game of 'Spring Flowers' (see instructions on p. 56).

The girl chosen to represent 'Summer' may repeat the verse given in Guessing Rhyme No. 75, p. 95, and then the 'Flowers' step forward as their names are mentioned in the rhymes which follow.

First comes the Pink Wild Rose, [Rose steps forward.]

The White rose, too, is here Next Honeysuckle sweet, And Foxglove standing near.

The scented Mignonette, Dog-daisy gold and white, The pretty Cornflower blue, And Marigold so bright.

A Campion white grows here, And next a Campion pink, Here's Clover from the field, Harebell comes next, I think.

The 'Flowers' then join hands and repeat the following rhyme:--