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WHEN I WAS A YOUNG GIRL 371 |
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they all walk round in ring form, two by two, arm in arm ; for having a baby, they each "rock" and "hush" a pretended baby; when the baby dies, each pretends to cry; when the husband dies, they throw their aprons or handkerchiefs over their heads and faces; for " keeping a donkey," each child pretends to beat and drive the child immediately in front of her; for " washerwoman," each pretends to wash or wring clothes; for a u beggar," each drops curtseys, and holds out her hand as if asking alms, putting on an imploring countenance. The Barnes' version is played in the same way, with the addition of holding the hands together to represent a book, as if learning lessons, for "schoolgirl"; pretending to hold a cane, and holding up fingers for silence, when a "teacher"; when " my husband did beat me," each pretends to fight ; and for " my husband died," each child walks round joyfully, waving her handkerchief, and all calling out Hurrah ! at the end; the other verses being acted the same as at Piatt. The Liphook version is much the same: the children beckon with their fingers when "wanting a sweetheart"; kneel down and pretend to pray when " at church "; prod pretended " clothes " in a wash-tub with a " dolly " stick when " I did peggy " is said; and mourn for the "husband's" death. In the Hanbury game, the children dance round or shake themselves for " flounces "; hold up dresses and walk nicely for " lady "; bow to each other for " gentlemen "; pretend to mend shoes when " cobblers " ; brush shoes for " shoeblack "; clap hands when the " husband " dies; and kneel when they are " parsons." In the Ogbourne game, the children "hold up their dresses as ladies do" in the first verse; take off their hats repeatedly when "gentlemen"; pretend to cry when "schoolgirls"; walking round, swinging their arms, and looking as cocky as possible, when " schoolboys "; patting each other's backs when "schoolmasters "; clapping hands for " schoolmistresses "; stooping down and walking on all fours for a " donkey " ; and brushing shoes for " shoeblack." In the Shropshire games at Berrington, each child " walks demurely " for a good girl; puts finger on lip for " naughty girl" ; walks two and two, arm in arm, for " courting "; holds on to her dress for "married"; whips the "baby," and cries when it dies. In |
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