slowly, in an ominous cadence, “I—declare—war—on—” There was a suspenseful pause, and then the kid declaring war would slam the ball down, in the same instant shouting “Germany!” or “Japan!” or “Holland!” or “Italy!” or “Belgium!” or “England!” or “China!”—sometimes even shouting “America!”—and everybody would take off except the one on whom the surprise attack had been launched. His job was to catch the ball on the bounce as quickly as he could and call “Stop!” Everybody now allied against him would have to freeze in place, and the victim country would begin the counterattack, trying to
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