"Pretty sir, wilt join us?"
When you have as many as can comfortably take hold of chain, move off to the smooth lawn. And here let me say, you better calculate before making your chain, how many children will take part in the game. Do not, I beg, crowd out any who would like to play. Always remember that a slight like this, or a disappointment, would make you feel very badly, and remembering this, make your games to bring pleasure to every one, and only productive of happy memories.
Now then, you are on the lawn. The leader gives the word. All take hold by both hands of rose-chain, and dance around, singing,
Ring around-a-rosy,
Jack must get a posy,
or,
Sue must get a posy,
or whatever the name of child who is first sent. As quick as lightning, Jack or Sue must leave chain and dancers, rush off into the garden, pick a flower, no matter what kind, and fly back, the others holding chain, dancing and singing,
Ring around-a-rosy,
Jack will bring a posy.
When the posy is brought, Jack throws it into the centre of ring, on the lawn. Do this until all players have brought a flower. If gone longer than they ought to be, they forfeit their places. When all have brought flowers, the ring dance around once more, singing,
Ring around-a-rosy,
Each has brought a posy.