Ghost-parties were the rage at one time ; for the fun of the thing consisted in putting out the lights , letting the fire die down , and then sitting in the dark , and telling the most awful tales they could invent . As this resulted in scares of all sorts among the boys , Tommy 's walking in his sleep on the shed roof , and a general state of nervousness in the little ones , it was forbidden , and they fell back on more harmless amusements . One evening , when the small boys were snugly tucked in bed , and the older lads were lounging about the school-room fire , trying to decide what they should do , Demi suggested a new way of settling the question . Seizing the hearth-brush , he marched up and down the room , saying , `` Row , row , row ; '' and when the boys , laughing and pushing , had got into line , he said , `` Now , I 'll give you two minutes to think of a play . '' Franz was writing , and Emil reading the Life of Lord Nelson , and neither joined the party , but the others thought hard , and when the time was up were ready to reply . `` Now , Tom ! '' and the poker softly rapped him on the head . `` Blind-man 's Buff . '' `` Jack ! '' `` Commerce ; a good round game , and have cents for the pool . '' `` Uncle forbids our playing for money . Dan , what do you want ? '' `` Let 's have a battle between the Greeks and Romans . '' `` Stuffy ? '' `` Roast apples , pop corn , and crack nuts . '' `` Good ! good ! '' cried several ; and when the vote was taken , Stuffy 's proposal carried the day . Some went to the cellar for apples , some to the garret for nuts , and others looked up the popper and the corn . `` We had better ask the girls to come in , had n't we ? ''
said XXXXX , in a sudden fit of politeness .
Commerce Dan Demi Emil Franz Greeks Jack Tommy garret minutes