THINGS WORTH DOING
AND HOW TO DO THEM

Transcriber's Note: This cover has been created by adding color to the title page and is placed in the public domain.

THINGS WORTH DOING
AND HOW TO DO THEM

THE BEARD BOOKS FOR GIRLS
By LINA and ADELIA B. BEARD

Things Worth Doing and How to Do Them. Illustrated by the authors. $2.00.

Recreations for Girls. Illustrated by the authors. $2.00 (postage extra).

What a Girl Can Make and Do. New Ideas for Work and Play. Illustrated by the authors. $2.00.

The American Girl’s Handy Book; or, How to Amuse Yourself and Others. Illustrated by the authors. $2.00.

THE BEARD BOOKS FOR BOYS
By DANIEL C. BEARD

The Field and Forest Handy Book. New Ideas for Out of Doors. Illustrated by the author. $2.00.

The Jack of All Trades; or, New Ideas for American Boys. Illustrated by the author. $2.00.

The Outdoor Handy Book. New and Cheaper Edition of The American Boy’s Book of Sport. Illustrated by the author. $2.00.

The American Boy’s Handy Book; or, What to Do and How to Do It. Illustrated by the author. $2.00.

Things
Worth
Doing
and
How
To Do Them

BY
Lina Beard
and
Adelia B. Beard
New York
Charles
Scribner’s
Sons
1906

Copyright, 1906 by
CHARLES SCRIBNER’S SONS

SPECIAL NOTICE

The publishers hereby give warning that the unauthorized printing of any portion of the text of this book, and the reproduction of any of the illustrations or diagrams, are expressly forbidden.

TO
OUR
LITTLE NIECE
BARBARA BEARD

PREFACE

We know our girls. We know and sympathize with their restless longing for activity. The normal girl simply must be doing something, and this ceaseless energy, at times rather appalling to her elders, is but natural and right. It is in the young blood coursing so swiftly and joyously through her veins, and it must find vent in one way or another. But there is no need of doing that which brings neither true pleasure nor the joy of accomplishing something worth while, for the world is full of delightful things really worth the doing. We have only to open our eyes and ears to find them crowding forward to claim our attention, and the choice is between better and best.

There are merry frolics and active games that stimulate the health and renew the vitality of the body and there are scores of charming things for willing hands to make which are not only worth the making but which bring skill to the fingers and breadth and energy to the mind.

In this, our fourth book for girls, we are giving some of the things we have found well worth the doing, and it is our hope that our girl friends will also see their worth and find in them inspiration for further experiments in pastime and frolics.

The Authors

July 3, 1906.

CONTENTS

PART I
PARTIES, SHOWS, AND
ENTERTAINMENTS

CHAPTER I
A FOURTH OF JULY LAWN FROLIC

THIS is not to be a formal lawn party, but a genuine, fun-provoking Fourth of July frolic with every one in comfortable dress appropriate for active games. There is to be no dancing, no tennis, nothing in the way of ordinary entertainment except, perhaps, the refreshments, and they too should be as nearly in keeping with the day as possible.

Prepare your guests for something novel by issuing your invitations in the form of giant firecrackers.

Decorate Your Grounds

and make them as festive as possible with fluttering flags, floating streamers, red, white, and blue bunting, and Japanese lanterns. Also provide a number of small flags, one for each guest, to be worn in the hat, hair, belt, and buttonhole. This little touch of uniform will not only make the scene gayer and more exhilarating, but, like badges of an order, will have the effect of dispelling the stiffness of new acquaintances, and bringing the party closer together as members of one band of merrymakers.

For the Giant Firecracker Invitations

you will need several sheets of bright red tissue paper, more of white tissue paper, and some white unlined writing paper. A ball of soft white cotton string will also be required.

Fig. 1.—Lay the paper cylinder on the red tissue paper..

Cut an oblong of red tissue paper, a circular piece of white tissue paper, and a square of writing paper for each invitation. Make the red oblong six inches long and three inches wide, the circle six inches in diameter, and the writing paper four inches square. Of the paper square make a cylindrical roll that will measure about three-quarters of an inch across the end. The easiest way to do this is to roll the paper on a candle, keeping the end edges even, and paste the side edge down while still wrapped around the candle. Pull the candle out of the paper and you have a perfect cylinder. Place the paper cylinder on the red tissue paper oblong so that there will be an even inch of red paper at each end ([Fig. 1]). Paste one long edge of the red paper to the cylinder and roll it on the table, bringing the opposite edge up smoothly, then paste that edge also in place ([Fig. 2]).

Fig. 2.—Cylinder in red paper cover.

Now prepare and write the note of invitation to be put in the firecracker envelope.

With Short Brush Strokes,

from inside to edge, paint an irregular band of blue, half an inch wide, around the edge of the tissue paper circle, using water colors for the purpose. Write the invitation with red ink around the circle just inside the blue border, or straight across above and below the centre.

Although the party is to be informal, a note written in the first person does not harmonize with the impersonal nature of a firecracker, therefore it is better to word the invitation something like this:

Miss Mary Brown requests the pleasure of the Misses Green’s company at an informal lawn frolic on Wednesday, the Fourth of July, from four to six o’clock. Active games.

Fig. 3.—The note of invitation looks like this.

When the ink is quite dry pinch the paper together at the centre, making it look something like a paper flower, twist it a little, and tie on the point a piece of the white cotton string. The string should be about ten inches long and must be tied at the middle ([Fig. 3]). Drop one end of the string through the cylinder and, taking hold of the end, draw the invitation into its envelope. Crush in the extra red paper at each end until it fills the opening and leaves the string extending from the centre ([Fig. 4]). Write the address and the words, “Pull the long string,” on the outside of the now almost perfect giant firecracker, and deliver by hand, for such an invitation would be broken and spoiled in going through the mail.

Fig. 4.—Giant firecracker with invitation inside.

The following

Order of Entertainment

is well adapted to the Fourth of July lawn frolic:

• Out-of-door Pantomime Charades.
• Shuffle Race.
• Hurling the Lance.
• Daylight Fireworks.

The programme opens with the not too vigorous game of

Pantomime Charades.

This will give all the opportunity of taking part and alternately acting and resting. Stake out the four corners of your stage with groups of flags, driving their sticks into the ground to hold them upright. Provide seats for the audience in front of the stage and at the back or side arrange a screen as dressing and green room for the actors.

Making Hay While the Sun Shines.

Divide the party into two sides of equal numbers and let the first side choose a proverb to be acted out in pantomime and guessed by the opposite side, which is taking the part of audience. When the proverb is guessed the actors must retire and the other side take the stage. If the subject of the first charade is not guessed the same side must present another proverb, putting new actors in the place of those who have just taken part. Not a word must be spoken in the charade, but the actors must make their meaning as clear as possible by good acting.

Our first illustration shows the out-of-door pantomime charade in progress. The proverb is: “Make hay while the sun shines.” This requires but one act as the first part, “Make hay,” and the last part, “while the sun shines,” are both represented. Making hay is acted out and that the sun is shining is implied by the quaint sunbonnets and wide-brimmed hats worn by the actors.

The Costumes Are Impromptu,

and may be prepared in a few minutes. The odd and most charmingly becoming bonnets, somewhat resembling Dutch caps, are made of newspapers, pinned in shape. The men’s wide-brimmed hats are simply ordinary hats with wide brims made of wrapping paper. Black derby hats were worn on this occasion, but straw hats are better. The girls’ dresses are turned up in front and pinned at the back. If checked gingham aprons are worn looped up at one side they will add to the color effect of the costume.

To Make the Sun-bonnet,

take one folded sheet of a newspaper and turn the folded edge back four inches ([Fig. 5]). Fold down the corners like [Fig. 6], put it on the head, bring the straight edge together at the back and pin it with a large pin. Bend out the laps at the sides and you have made [Fig. 7]; [Fig. 8] gives the pattern of the boy’s hat. Cut a large circle from rather stiff, new wrapping paper; press it down upon the top of the crown of a man’s straw hat; crease it along the edge of the crown, then cut a hole in the centre two inches within the creased line. Slash from the inner edge to the creased line as shown in [Fig. 8], fit the paper brim over the crown of the straw hat and pin in place to the hat band.

Fig. 5.—Fold the newspaper for the bonnet like this.

Fig. 6.—Fold down the two corners.

High peaked hats, wide collars, and even short capes may be quickly manufactured from paper and the effect of the impromptu costume is marvelously good.

Fig. 7.—A most becoming newspaper bonnet.

Fig. 8.—Cut the boys’ hat brims like this.

The Shuffle Race,

next in order, is new and it is funny. Its requisites are, for the girls, short skirts, held well above the ankles, and low shoes or slippers many times too large, worn over ordinary shoes. Unless the foot can be lifted out of the shoe without touching it with the hands the shoe is too small. For the boys you must provide the largest sized slippers obtainable, having uppers only at the toes.

The course should be about one hundred feet over a smoothly shaven lawn. The contestants must stand in line at the starting point and at the word “go,” start off on the race, shuffling along as fast as possible. The boys have no advantage over the girls in this game, for it is no easier for one to cover the distance quickly, shuffling along in the large shoes, than for the other, and both look equally ridiculous in their absurdly frantic efforts to win the race.

After resting from the shuffle race allow your guests to try their skill at

Hurling the Lance.

From the limb of a tree have suspended five or six feet from the ground a small wooden hoop, about eighteen inches in diameter, covered like a drumhead with white tissue paper.

Provide each player with a round, green, tapering stake, white tipped and five feet long—the kind used for propping up plants. On the blunt end of each stake, or lance, should be tied streamers of red, white, and blue, which will make streaks of color as they are sent hurtling through the air.

Hurrying Along in the Shuffle Race.

Clear the space on the far side of the hoop that no one may be hurt by the falling lances, then have each player in turn throw his or her lance with the object of piercing the paper and sending the lance entirely through the ring. Each player may have three trials in succession, and unless her lance passes through the hoop at least once she is counted out. There are three rounds and the player wins who, at the end, has succeeded most frequently in sending her lance through the hoop.

Let the farewell be a

Burst of Daylight Fireworks.

Strings of firecrackers stretched from tree to tree, bunches hidden under barrels, harmless torpedoes for your guests to explode, and any other fireworks that do not need darkness for a background may be used.

It is a good idea to make

The Balloon Ascension

an especial feature of the display. In the early days of our country “Independence Day” was not to be thought of without a balloon ascension, and the time-honored custom may be observed, but in a new way. This part of the programme should come as a complete surprise, and all the preparation for it be kept secret, that none of your guests may suspect what you have in store for them. The old observances always included a patriotic speech, and that, too, should form a part of the ceremony, being used as an introduction to the balloon ascension. You may make the speech yourself or get some one to do it for you, but in either case let it be quite short. Balloons should not be mentioned, but in some way the old Grecian myth of Pandora and her wonderful box must be brought in.

The Myth

can be used quite appropriately and effectively for, as you will remember, it was to punish Prometheus, and mankind in general, for stealing fire that Zeus commanded Hephæstus to form from earth this most beautiful Pandora, in order that by the charms with which the other gods endowed her, she might bring trouble and vexation upon them. It does not appear to have been altogether her charms, however, that worked the mischief, for we are told it was curiosity that induced her to open the box, or cask, which was filled with winged blessings for men, thus allowing all of the blessings except hope to escape. As the remarks are being brought to a close have your

Pandora Box

carried out and placed in front of the speaker.

In this case the box is to be a good-sized sugar-barrel, wrapped in flags, or red, white, and blue bunting, and having a lid that is easily lifted. With the final words let the speaker step forward and suddenly raise the lid of the barrel. This will set free not the things that were in the original Pandora box, but a number of gas-filled, rubber, toy balloons, that will burst out like a volley of fireworks, for a moment filling the air with color and movement, then sailing upward and away to finally disappear from view in the blue sky overhead.

In preparing your Pandora box choose a barrel that is perfectly smooth inside, without long splinters or nails to pierce the fragile balloons. Then see that the cover has a handle or knob by which it can be lifted. A spool fastened on with a screw will serve very well and is easily grasped by the hand.

The Balloons

are the kind one sees for sale on the streets tied in great bunches by their long strings. Red is the most common color, but sometimes they vary. Frequently there are white ones with red or yellow lettering and bands, and again, just before the Fourth, red, white, and blue ones may be found. Have all the colors possible, and crowd in as many as the barrel will hold, cutting the strings off close to the balloons that they may not become entangled, and taking great care that they do not escape, like the blessings, before their time.

CHAPTER II
A WONDERFUL CIRCUS AT HOME WITH MOVING ANIMALS

MAKE your poster as nearly as possible like the one on the opposite page. Paint the lettering in gay colors on a big sheet of paper and a day before the show tack it up in a conspicuous place where all the family will see it, for, of course, your show must have an audience, and if you follow out all directions very carefully it will be well worth seeing.

Have your circus on top of a large table, or on the floor, or out of doors on the bare ground. Almost any place will do where there is a good-sized level surface.

Make the circus ring about forty inches in diameter, outline it with chalk and cover the marked line with either sawdust or dry corn meal built into a narrow ridge similar to that of earth around the large rings; then your circle will look just like the ring of a real circus.

Be sure to have some kind of music at your show, if only music on a comb. Place a piece of paper over the comb and play a lively march. Let all the music be sprightly and gay.

Following the method given for making the horse and elephant, you can make various other moving animals.

Fig. 9 shows

Mademoiselle Rosebud

standing firm and upright without the slightest tremor as her Kentucky charger leaps high in the air over an outstretched banner.

Fig. 10 gives the pattern of the horse and rider, which you can trace on stiff cardboard, not too heavy. If enlarged to twice the size given they will be more imposing, but this is not necessary, as the size of pattern is very good.

When outlined cut out the design, let the horse remain white, and with pen and ink draw the lines which give him form, shaping the head and neck, and separating the legs, as in [Fig. 9].

Fig. 9.—Making the high jump.

Fig. 10.—Pattern of horse and rider.

Paint Mademoiselle’s face, arms, and neck flesh color; her waist, skirt, stockings, and slippers light blue; make a full double tissue-paper skirt of the same color by gathering a strip of light-blue tissue paper through the lengthwise centre, folding the edges together and tying this double skirt around the little lady’s waist. Cut a narrow strip of the same blue paper and fasten one end around each wrist that it may float freely in the air as she gallops around the ring.

To Give the Horse Ability to Move,

pierce four holes through the body with a large needle, as in [Fig. 10]. Be sure to have the holes in the right places that the horse may balance perfectly; then when the threads are in position there will be no difficulty in making the horse stand and walk alone, as a well-trained steed should.

Use four pieces of strong black thread, all of the same length, about forty inches, for leading the horse. Tie all four ends of the thread together, and make a large knot in each strand seventeen inches from the joined ends. Run each thread through a separate hole in the body of the horse. Slide the horse against the knots tied in the thread and then tie a second knot in each thread close up to the other side of the horse.

Be very particular about these knots; they should rest against the body of the horse, that the animal may be firmly inserted between eight knots, four knots tight up against each side of his body. Sew a tag of black tape on the thread where the ends are tied together and pin the tag down to the floor in the centre of the circus ring.

Tie the Ends

E and F ([Fig. 11]) together and fasten them to a piece of pasteboard; do likewise with the ends of the threads G and H, then hold the two threads which are near the front of the horse, E and F ([Fig. 11]), in one hand and the other two threads, G and H, in the other hand while you walk slowly around the outside of the ring, allowing little Rosebud to ride demurely around in a circle, as such performers always do when they first enter a real circus ring.

Fig. 11.—Threads showing how to make the horse dance.

After the audience has been duly impressed by the novel sight of a paper horse and rider moving, apparently without aid, around the ring, the black threads being practically invisible, let the horse stand alone while you bring out two or three brightly colored tissue-paper banners, with each end of each scarf pasted on the top of a spool. Place the banners at various distances around the ring; then again take up the threads and

Make the Horse Run and Jump Over Each Banner.

This done, remove the banners and let the horse with his pretty rider dance around the ring, sometimes on his hind feet, as in [Fig. 12], and again on his fore feet ([Fig. 11]), while little Rosebud easily retains her footing, looking more than ever like a real circus rider.

Fig. 12.—Horse and rider dancing around the ring.

Fig. 13.—Pattern of Bob the elephant.

Fig. 13 gives the different parts of

Bob the Wonderful Elephant.

Make them all of stiff cardboard and larger if possible than the diagram; then with pen and ink draw the ears, eyes, and tusks ([Fig. 14]); waterproof drawing ink is best for this purpose, but common ink will do. When the ink is dry give all parts, except the tusks, a light wash of India ink, to turn the animal a natural dull gray color. With black thread fasten the leg A on the far side of the elephant, running the thread through the hole A in the elephant and tying the thread into a large knot on the leg, then making another knot on the near side of the body; the leg and body are fastened to each other in this way between two knots of thread. Have the pieces close together, but loose enough to allow the leg to move easily. Attach the next leg, B, on the near side of the body at the hole B. The leg C goes on the far side of the body at the hole C, and the leg D on the near side at the hole D. The legs A and C are on the far side, and B and D on the near side of the animal ([Fig. 14]). Sew one end each of two strands of black thread to a small piece of black tape. Make a large knot in each thread, eighteen inches from the tape, run the free end of each thread through one of the two holes high on the elephant’s body ([Fig. 13]), and slide the elephant on the threads close to the knots. Make other knots on this side of the body, in the same way you managed the Kentucky charger, then pin the tape to the centre of the ring and

Start Your Elephant on a Walk

around the ring.

Fig. 14.—“I’ll walk.”

Fig. 15.—“Won’t go another step.”

Fig. 16.—“See me sit up.”

Fig. 17.—“I can dance.”

If the horse and rider interfere, take them away and let the unparalleled animal have the field to himself. When Bob goes around the ring he always gets tired and draws back, declining to move another step. Make him do this by gently pulling the back thread backward. Bob is very comical when assuming this pose ([Fig. 15]). Raise the front thread and the little fellow will sit up ([Fig. 16]). Slowly and gently raise both threads a trifle and Bob will begin to dance ([Fig. 17]). Raising the back thread a little, not enough to take his foot from the ground, and at the same time lowering the front thread, will cause Bob to crouch and crawl along ([Fig. 18]). [Fig. 19] shows Bob when he is in a hurry. Make this by lowering the front thread of [Fig. 18].

Fig. 18.—“I am coming.”

Fig. 19.—“Hurry! Get out of the way.”

Fig. 20.—“Here goes.”

Fig. 21.—“How is that?”

Fig. 22.—“Difficult, but I can do it.”

Now Stand a Spool in the Ring

raise the clumsy little fellow up on his feet and walk him over to the spool, where he will naturally rest one foot on top while he takes a long breath before climbing up ([Fig. 20]). Move the threads carefully and the elephant will climb on the spool ([Fig. 21]). Lift the back thread, and Bob will slowly and cumbersomely raise up until he balances himself on one fore foot on top of the spool ([Fig. 22]). By cautiously moving the threads you can make the elephant lower himself and step down and off ([Fig. 23]). When the animal is entirely off the spool, raise up and back the front thread and he will sit down upon the top of the spool to rest ([Fig. 24]). Without any trouble Bob can stand erect on the spool, as in [Fig. 25].

Fig. 23.—“I’m coming down.”

All the poses given were taken direct from those actually assumed by Bob while he performed to the accompaniment of music, when rehearsing to a small but appreciative audience, preparatory to appearing before the public in print. The Kentucky charger also went through all his acts to the same music.

Fig. 24.—“Must rest.”

Remember to mark and color the wrong side of each figure as it should appear, so that the animals and rider may look well from all sides of the ring.

Fig. 25.—“Just balance like me.”

The horse can go rapidly, but the elephant, to be lifelike, must move slowly. When the circus is over roll the threads on their respective pieces of cardboard and bits of tape to avoid tangling them, and have a box ready in which the animals may lie flat until again needed.

This little circus will make a fine parlor entertainment, or would do admirably as a side show at your next fair, when a small extra admission could be charged and wee glasses of lemonade and tiny popcorn balls passed around to the audience in true circus style.

CHAPTER III
A NOVEL EASTER PARTY WITH NEW EASTER GAMES

THERE are no end of delightful things to do at an Easter party, and every game may be in keeping with the season.

The game of

Egg Tennis

Fig. 26.—Carefully bore a hole in each end of the shell.

is particularly pretty. As you play this new Easter game, showers of color will fill the air, sometimes descending in sparkling bits of orange, again reds, then greens or blues, yellows or purples, with all their beautiful tints. Quivering and shimmering, down the colored rain will fall, lightly covering your hair, clothing, and surrounding objects, while you stand, racket in hand, watching the result of your stroke. Your companions, seeing your success, will be eager to try their skill, also, with one of the pretty magic eggs. These colored showers do not even look wet, and they will not injure the most delicate of fabrics, for they are composed of countless bits of bright tissue paper.

The Number of Eggs

Fig. 27.—Fold the paper like this

needed for the game depends upon the number of players. There should be three eggs provided for every two players. In case the first player succeeds in breaking two eggs in succession, the third egg will not be used during the game, but may do duty at another time in another game. Should the first player fail in breaking the second egg, then all three eggs will be required.

Fig. 28.—Cut the paper in fringe like this.

How to Prepare the Eggs

Select eggs as nearly of a size as possible; take one egg at a time and with a very coarse needle carefully bore a hole in each end by pressing the point of the needle against the shell and then turning the needle around and around until a little hole appears. Be very careful when boring not to press the needle with too great a force, as there is danger in so doing of cracking the shell and rendering it useless. When both holes are made, increase the hole on the large end of the egg until it is about as large around as the head of a common hat-pin ([Fig. 26]), then place the small end to your lips and blow out the contents.

Playing the New Easter Game of Egg Tennis

After the Shells Are Emptied

leave one white and color all the others, making each shell of a different color. When this is done, allow the inside of the shells to become thoroughly dry; then fill them with pieces of tissue paper cut in small squares a quarter of an inch or less in size. These can be quickly made by folding the tissue paper like [Fig. 27] and cutting it into strips of fringe ([Fig. 28]); then cutting off the ends of the fringe little by little ([Fig. 29]). Fill the red egg-shell with bits of red paper, the yellow shell with yellow paper, and so on, making

Fig. 29.—Cut off the ends of the fringe.

The Shower of Paper

in each egg-shell correspond to the color of the shell. Fill the white shell with squares of white tissue paper, and when the shell breaks in mid-air, the shower will resemble the dainty petals of cherry blossoms as they fall when shaken from the trees by a light breeze. The effect is very pretty, calling to mind the Feast of Cherry Blossoms in Japan, when the girls and boys accompany their elders to see the cherry trees in full bloom.

Fig. 30.—Gilt paper disk.

Cut Gilt Paper Disks

two inches in diameter ([Fig. 30]); fold each disk through the centre ([Fig. 31]), then fold again crosswise through the middle of the first fold ([Fig. 32]). Fold once more ([Fig. 33]), and, following the dotted lines on [Fig. 33], cut the points as shown in [Fig. 34] and you will have the eight-pointed star ([Fig. 35]). While the point is still folded with a sharp pair of scissors clip off the point (A, [Fig. 34]). This makes the hole in the centre of the star (B, [Fig. 35]). Through the hole in each star thread the two ends of a strong string. Cover the under side of the star with paste, separate the two ends of the string and hold them down on each side of the egg ([Fig. 36]), then draw the star down on to the shell over the strings, and press tightly in place until the paste holds ([Fig. 37]). Clip off the ends of the string that extend below the star.

Fig. 35.—The star unfolded

Fig. 36.—Hold the two ends of the string down on each side of the egg.

Fig. 37.—Draw the star down and press tightly in place.

When the paste is quite dry and the paper firmly attached to the shell,

Hang One of the Eggs

directly in the middle of a wide doorway so that the egg will be about as high as the shoulders of the players. If there is a curtain pole in the doorway tie the string to the pole; if not, drive a tack on top of the door frame and suspend the egg from that. Where the doorway is quite wide, like the old-fashioned doors between two parlors, two eggs may be hung and four players take part at one time. In that case you will need four rackets; ordinarily two rackets are sufficient.

Make the Rackets

of flat rattan, taking two pieces, twenty-seven inches long for each racket. Soak the rattan to make it pliable, then bind the two pieces together with string as in [Fig. 38]. Bend the now double rattan to form a loop, bring the four ends together and wrap them into a straight piece for the handle ([Fig. 39]).

Fig. 38.—Bind the two pieces of rattan together.

Fig. 39.—Bring the four ends together to form a loop.

Lay the frame you have just made down on a large piece of strong writing-paper and mark a line on the paper one inch from and entirely surrounding the outer edge of the frame down to the handle. Draw another line close to the outer edge of the frame, then cut out the design along the outside line. Slash the edge up to, but not across, the remaining pencil line ([Fig. 39]). Cover one side of the slashed border with paste or glue, and, again placing the frame on the paper, turn the flaps, one at a time, over the edge of the frame and attach them firmly to the frame and to the inside of the paper ([Fig. 40]). When the paste is perfectly dry, make another paper cover in the same manner and paste its slashed edge over the frame on top of the first, putting one cover directly over the other and so making it double; this will make the racket quite strong and firm.

Fig. 40.—Turn the flaps of the border over the edge of the frame.

Fig. 41.—Finish with a bow of ribbon

Wind a strip of paper one-half an inch wide around the handle, pasting it as you wind, and turn the end of the paper up over the end of the handle ([Fig. 40]). Finish with a bow of ribbon, tying it on where the handle joins the racket. [Fig. 41] shows the completed racket right side up.

The Game of Egg Tennis

is played in couples, and the object is to break the egg-shell and send the paper rain flying in the air. The sport is adapted to all ages, from the little child scarcely large enough to wield the racket to grown girls and boys, and even older people will become excited as they try to strike the fragile toy.

The players must stand facing each other at equal distances from and on opposite sides of the suspended egg. The distance is decided by swinging the egg and then placing the players within easy reach of it before it swings above their heads. This is done by the umpire, who takes charge of the game and decides any disputes.

Promptly at the signal,

“Ready,”