One player begins the game by going out of the room, and then giving a
double (or postman's) knock at the door; it is the duty of one of
the other players to stand at the door inside the room to answer the
knocks that are made, and to ask the postman for whom he has a
letter. The postman names some member of the company, generally of
the opposite sex; he is then asked, "How many cents are to be paid?"
Perhaps he will say "six"; the person for whom the letter is supposed
to be must then pay for it with kisses, instead of cents; after which
he or she must take a turn as postman.
* * * * *
"OUR OLD GRANNIE DOESN'T LIKE TEA."
All the players sit in a row, except one, who sits in front of them
and says to each one in turn: "Our old Grannie doesn't like T; what
can you give her instead?"
Perhaps the first player will answer, "Cocoa," and that will be
correct; but if the second player should say, "Chocolate," he will
have to pay a forfeit, because there is a "T" in chocolate. This
is really a catch, as at first every one thinks that "tea" is meant
instead of the letter "T." Even after the trick has been found out it
is very easy to make a slip, as the players must answer before "five"
is counted; if they cannot, or if they mention an article of food with
the letter "T" in it, they must pay a forfeit.
* * * * *
"I LOVE MY LOVE WITH AN A."
To play this game it is best for the players to arrange themselves in
a half circle round the room. Then one begins: "I love my love with an
'A,' because she is affectionate; I hate her with an 'A,' because she
is artful. Her name is Alice, she comes from Alabama, and I gave her
an apricot." The next player says: "I love my love with a 'B,' because
she is bonnie; I hate her with a 'B,' because she is boastful. Her
name is Bertha, she comes from Boston, and I gave her a book." The
next player takes "C," and the next "D," and so on through all the
letters of the alphabet.
* * * * *