My Book of Indoor Games | Page 4

the object she is to search
for. When the music is soft, then she knows she is very near, and when
the music ceases altogether, she knows that she has found the object
she was intended to look for.
* * * * *
BUZZ
[Plate 2]
This is a very old game, but is always a very great favorite. The more
the players, the greater the fun. The way to play it is as follows: The
players sit in a circle and begin to count in turn, but when the number 7
or any number in which the figure 7 or any multiple of 7 is reached,
they say "Buzz," instead of whatever the number may be. As, for
instance, supposing the players have counted up to 12, the next player
will say "13," the next "Buzz" because 14 is a multiple of 7 (twice

7)--the next player would then say "15" the next "16," and the next
would, of course, say "Buzz" because the figure 7 occurs in the number
17. If one of the players forgets to say "Buzz" at the proper time, he is
out. The game then starts over again with the remaining players, and so
it continues until there is but one person remaining. If great care is
taken the numbers can be counted up to 70, which, according to the
rules before mentioned, would, of course, be called Buzz. The numbers
would then be carried on as Buzz 1, Buzz 2, etc., up to 79, but it is very
seldom that this stage is reached.
* * * * *
"I APPRENTICED MY SON."
The best way of describing this game is to give an illustration of how it
is played. The first player thinks of "Artichoke," and commences: "I
apprenticed my son to a greengrocer, and the first thing he sold was an
A."
Second player: "Apple?" "No."
Third player: "Almonds?" "No."
Fourth player: "Asparagus?" "No."
Fifth player: "Artichoke?" "Yes."
The last player, having guessed correctly, may now apprentice his son.
No player is allowed more than one guess.
* * * * *
CAT AND MOUSE
The children sit in two rows opposite each other with a space between.
One child takes the place of "cat," being blindfolded, and one takes the
place of "mouse," and is also blindfolded, the cat standing at one end of
the row and the mouse at the opposite end. They start in opposite
directions, guiding themselves by the chairs, the cat trying to catch the

mouse. When the mouse is caught it is made the cat, and one of the
company takes the place of the mouse.
* * * * *
THE SEA KING
This game can be played by any number of children. They proceed by
first choosing one of the party to act as the Sea King, whose duty it is
to stand in the center of a ring, formed by the players seating
themselves round him. The circle should be as large as possible. Each
of the players having chosen the name of a fish, the King runs round
the ring, calling them by the names which they have selected.
Each one, on hearing his name called, rises at once, and follows the
King, who, when all his subjects have left their seats, calls out, "The
sea is troubled," and seats himself suddenly. His example is
immediately followed by his subjects. The one who fails to obtain a
seat has then to take the place of King, and the game is continued.
* * * * *
BUFF SAYS "BAFF"
This is a game in which no one is allowed to smile or laugh. All the
players, except one, sit in a row or half circle; one goes out of the room
and returns with a stick or poker in his hand, and a very grave and
solemn face. He is supposed to have just returned from a visit to Buff.
The first player asks him: "Where do you come from?" "From Buff."
The next asks: "Did he say anything to you?" To which the reply is:
"Buff said 'Baff,' And gave me this staff, Telling me neither to smile
nor to laugh. Buff says 'Baff,' to all his men, And I say 'Baff' to you
again. And he neither laughs nor smiles, In spite of all your cunning
wiles, But carries his face with a very good grace, And passes his staff
to the very next place."
If he can repeat all this without laughing, he delivers up his staff to

some one else, and takes his seat; but if he laughs, or even smiles, he
pays a forfeit before giving it up.
* * * * *
BLIND MAN'S BUFF
In the olden times this game was known by the name of