This is a capital game for a large party, for it is both instructive and amusing. One player is selected who has to guess what word or sentence the remainder of the company has chosen. He goes out of the room, and when the subject has been decided upon, returns and asks a question of each of the company in turn. The answer must he either “Yes” or “No,” and in no case should more words be used, under penalty of paying a forfeit.
The first important point to he found out is whether the subject is “Animal,” “Vegetable,” or “Mineral.” Supposing. for instance, the subject chosen is a cat which is sleeping in the room by the fire, the questions and answers might be like the following:
"Is the subject chosen an animal?" "Yes."
"Wild animal." "No."
"Domestic animal?" "Yes."
"Common?" "Yes."
"Are there many to be seen in this town?" "Yes."
"Have you seen many this day?" "Yes."
"In this house?" "No."
"Have you seen many in the road?" "Yes."
"Do they draw carts?" "No."
"Are they used for working purposes?" "No."
"Is the subject a pet?" "Yes."
"Have they one in the house?" "Yes."
"In this room?" "Yes."
"Is it lying in front of the fire at the present time?" "Yes!"
"Is the subject you all thought of the cat lying in front of the fire in this room?" "Yes."
The subject having been guessed, another one is chosen and the game proceeds.
Image © makelessnoise @ Flickr, Attribution
Games for All Occasions by Mary E. Blain