ALL the players but one cobblers, as they are called
sit on the floor in a circle a few inches apart.
Then the customer comes and says:

“Cobbler, cobbler; mend my shoe. Get it done by half-past two.”
She hands one of the cobblers an old slipper, and turns away.
When she has counted up to ten she comes back,
but is told the slipper is not ready.
“I must have it,” says the customer.
“Then you must find it,” all the cobblers reply.

At that the search begins.
Each cobbler passes the slipper on to his or her neighbour
hiding it from sight as much as possible;
but should the seeker spy it and call out the name of the cobbler who has got it,
that cobbler must take her place, and bring it to be mended again.
The slipper must not stop in one place,
but must keep passing round the circle, one way or the other.