A mother and children:
"Mother, can I pick a rose?"
"Yes, my dearest daughter, if you don't tear your clothes,
But remember, to-morrow is your sister's wedding-day."
The children now retire to a safe distance, and sing:
"I picked a rose.
I tore my clothes!"
"Come home!"
"I don't hear you."
"I'll send your father after you."
"I don't hear you."
"I'll send your brother after you."
"I don't hear you."
"I'll send the dog after you."
"I don't hear you."
"I'll send myself after you."
"Sen' 'em along!"
A chase follows, and the child caught must replace the mother.
The dialogue (which belongs to Georgia) is also extended by the mother's threatening to send the cow, or the trees, after the children.
This game is differently played by little girls in Philadelphia, thus:
"Oh, mother, mother, may I go out to play?"
"No, no, no, it's a very cold day."
"Yes, yes, yes, it's a very warm day,
So take three steps, and away, away, away."
"Where's your manners?"
"I haven't any."
The indignant mother now pursues the disobedient children.