Mother, Mother, may I go out to Play?
I thought this game was a thing of the past, but I came on some children playing it in the streets of Penzance, in 1883. It may be played by any number, and, as in the two former games, one is chosen for mother. This is the dialogue:
C. Mother, mother, may I (or we) go out to play?
M. No, child! no, child! not for the day.
C. Why, mother? why, mother? I won’t stay long.
M. Make three pretty courtesies, and away! begone!
C. One for mammy, one for daddy, one for Uncle John.
The child, as she mentions the names, spreads out the skirts of her dress and courtesies, after which she retires to a little distance, and then returns.
M. Where, child! where, child! have you been all the day?
C. Up to granny’s.
M. What have you been doing there?
The answer to this is often “Washing dolls’ clothes,” but anything may be mentioned.
M. What did she give you?
The reply is again left to the child’s fancy.
M. Where’s my share?
C. The cat ate it. What’s in that box, mother?
M. Twopence, my child.
C. What for, mother?
M. To buy a stick to beat you, and a rope to hang you, my child.
The child at this tries to snatch at the box, the mother chases her until she has caught her (when there are several children, until she has caught one), she then pretends to beat her, and puts her hands around her neck as if she were going to hang her.