The Lover’s Coming
All the members of the party save one are massed together at the end of the room. The leader walks close to them, and throws a light rubber ball towards any person she likes.
The person must be prepared to catch the ball. As the leader throws it, she accompanies the action with these words, “My lover comes thus”—the ball is tossed in a way to illustrate the manner of the supposed lover. The thrower terminates her sentence by a letter of the alphabet. The one to whom the ball is thrown has to provide an adjective beginning with the given letter as she catches the ball—thus:
Leader—“My lover comes g”—(throws ball).
Catcher—“Gayly”—(tosses ball back).
Leader—“My lover comes h.”
Catcher—“Hopping.”
Leader—“My lover comes o.”
Catcher—“One-eyed.”
Leader—“My lover comes s.”
Catcher—“Smirking.”
Excitement is caused by the difficulty in producing a word at a moment’s notice, and being ready to catch the ball at the same time.