Guests take part, seated in a circle.
Three Fates are chosen, one of whom whispers to each person in turn name of his (her) future sweetheart.
Second Fate follows, whispering to each where he (she) will next meet his (her) sweetheart; as, “You will meet on a load of hay,” or, “at a picnic,” or, “at church,” or, “on the river,” etc.
The third Fate reveals the future; as, “You will marry him (her) next Christmas,” or, “You will be separated many years by a quarrel, but will finally marry,” or, “Neither of you will ever marry,” etc.
Each guest must remember what is said by the Fates; then each in turn repeats aloud what has been told him (her).
For example, “My future sweetheart’s name is Obednego; I shall meet him next Wednesday on the Moonlight Excursion, and we shall be married in a week.”