Part 28 (2/2)

_Nashua, N.H._

760. A needle dropping on the floor and sticking up means visitors.

_St. John, N.B._

761. If a knife be dropped at table, a woman will call.

_Pennsylvania._

762. If you drop a knife at table, a lady will come during the evening; if a fork, a gentleman is coming.

_Talladega, Ala._

763. If you drop a knife, your visitor will be a woman; if a fork, it will be a man; if a spoon, it will be a fool.

_Pennsylvania._

764. If you drop a knife, it is a sign a lady is coming to see you. If a fork, the visitor will be a man; if a spoon, your cousin.

_New York._

765. Two knives beside a plate mean a lady stranger; two forks, a man.

_Peabody, Ma.s.s._

766. To put two spoons in your teacup is a sign of a stranger.

_Maine and Ma.s.sachusetts._

767. Two forks or spoons crossed on a plate signify that a stranger is coming.

768. If you wash the sugar-bowl, you will have company.

_Eastern Ma.s.sachusetts._

769. To have too many plates on the table means guests.

770. If an extra plate be accidentally placed upon the table, some visitor will come hungry.

_Northern Ohio._

771. If you are offered an article of food at the table, which you already have on your plate, but forgetting that you have it, take some more, it is a sign that a stranger is coming to your house before you eat another meal.

_Quebec._

772. If stems of tea-grounds are found in the cup, it denotes that visitors are coming. If you wish them to come, bite the heads off and throw them under the table.

_Deerfield, Ma.s.s._

773. If the stems of tea-grounds come on top of the cup, visitors are coming. Bite one, and if it is hard, it will be a man; if soft, a woman.

_New Hamps.h.i.+re._

774. If successful in the attempt to take stems from your tea, a friend is going to visit you.

_Alabama._

775. If a tea-stem is on top of the cup, put it in your shoe, and you will have company.

_Ma.s.sachusetts._

776. If a tea-stem floats in the tea, it is a sign you will have a visitor. If it is hard, it is a man; if it is soft, it is a woman. If it is long, the visitor will be tall; if short, the visitor will be short.

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