Indoor and Outdoor Recreations for Girls

by Lina Beard; Adelia B. Beard

The Dance

The eggs being arranged the company is divided into couples, each in turn to try the dance. The first couple takes position within the outer circle—that is, between the red eggs and the gilded ones—and, to waltz music, they dance around the circle three times, keeping within the space between the two circles. Entering the inner circle they waltz three times around the central egg, and all this must be done without breaking or greatly disturbing any of the eggs. When an egg is broken or knocked more than twelve inches from its position, the dancers retire and give place to the next couple. The broken eggs are not replaced, but those out of position are set in order before the succeeding couple commence the dance. When each couple has had a turn and none have accomplished the feat, all change partners and the trial begins again.

The first couple to go through the mazes of the dance without breaking or disturbing any of the eggs win each a first prize; the next successful couple receive second prizes, and the third are rewarded with one colored hard-boiled egg which they may divide between them.

Easter Angling

Fig. [402].—Eight hooks made of wire.

The appliances for this game are manufactured at home, and consist of three toy hoops, such as children use for rolling, eight bamboo walking-canes, and eight hooks made of wire like [Fig. 402]. A piece of twine three-quarters of a yard long is tied to the small end of each stick, and to the other end of the twine is fastened a hook.

Smooth, stiff, light-brown paper is pasted or tacked over each hoop like a drum-head, and in this paper covering of each hoop six round holes are cut, just large enough to admit the small end of an egg, or about the size of a silver quarter of a dollar. Four of the holes are made at equal distances apart, twelve inches from the edge of the paper, and the other two are near the centre ([Fig. 403]).

Eighteen eggs to be angled for are provided. They are not boiled, but the shells are emptied and prepared for decoration in the manner previously described.