Page:String Figures and How to Make Them.djvu/289

Sixth: With the right thumb and index pull this same loop crossing the backs of the left middle and ring fingers (through which you have just passed the four strings) over the knuckles of the middle and ring fingers (Fig. 573), and to the palm

of the left hand; then draw it out to the right as far as possible, but carefully, and not too hard, at the same time enclosing the left fist, and (with some stretch of the imagination) you get the four tallow dips on the left hand (Fig. 574).

The story of the tallow dips is as follows: "A man stole a pound of tallow dips, and bringing them home hung them on a peg."

Seventh: At this point, place the loop held by the right thumb and index over the left thumb and, being careful not to twist it, let it hang down (Fig. 575).

"And being very tired he sat down on a chair and went to sleep."

Eighth: Now, pointing the right index and middle fingers downward, over the back of the left hand held palm down with the fingers pointing to the right, take up from the left side on the ball of the right index, the