At least this is as it was when, as one of the band of merry children, I played “Oats-peas-beans” and “Come Philanders,” upon the sidewalk, and I do not think these customs have changed much since then.
Later, when I and my young friends had outgrown the “ring-around-arosy” games, we used to gather upon the door-step, and there chatter away about the day’s doings, or whatever interested us at the time. When tired of talking, we would amuse ourselves by playing quiet games or telling stories. Sometimes the thoughtful mother of our young hostess would add to our enjoyment by serving some light refreshment, such as ice-cream or fruit. The greatest treat, and the one most appreciated, was when we were invited to partake of a great crisp frozen water-melon, whose blood-red core, sweet as sugar and cold as ice, quickly melted away between the rosy lips of the little guests. We were not always thus favored, however; the refreshments were ever a pleasant surprise, but the pleasure of our evening was not marred by their absence.
The remembrance of what very pleasant times we used to have at these impromptu little parties, urges me to devote some pages of this book to the description of a door-step party, that by acting upon the suggestion, others may enjoy them even as did that group of little Kentucky girls.
Now is just the time for a door-step party; now when the beauty of the evening lures us from the lighted parlor to the shadowy piazza whose coolness is so attractive after the long, hot summer day. Here soft breezes fan our cheeks, and here, perhaps, the moonlight filtering through vine and trellis, is carpeting the floor with lacy shadows, and with its soft mysterious light is casting a glamour over all familiar things.
It is a modest little fête, this door-step party, a simple way of entertaining one’s friends of a summer evening when the heat will not permit of the exertion of active games. The delightful out-door surroundings give it a novel charm and make it entirely different from the frolics usually indulged in during the winter season.
Because the entertainment is not noisy it need not be the less enjoyable, and a party of bright, merry girls will derive plenty of amusement and fun from the quiet games of a door-step party. The following will give an idea of what games are suitable for an occasion of this kind.
Five Minutes’ Conversation
is not exactly a game, although there are rules which must be obeyed in order to make it interesting.
A programme with small pencil attached, like the one shown in Fig. 97, should be given to each guest upon her arrival. The engagements for five minutes’ conversation are made by putting your name down on your friend’s card opposite the time chosen for your conversation with her.
Five minutes only are allowed for one conversation.