It will be proper to add some account of the comparative history of this curious game. The English and Scotch versions, though generally less well preserved, correspond to our American. But we find a more primitive type in Iceland, where it is, or a few years ago was, an amusement of winter evenings, played not by children, but by men and women, in a form which indicates a high antiquity. The women ask the men, as these advance, what they desire? The latter reply, "a maid," that is, wife. The inquiry now is, what will they give? It is answered, _stone_. This tender is scornfully refused, and the suitors retire in dudgeon, but return to raise their offer, and at last proffer _gold_, which is accepted, and the controversy ends in a dance.[36] Curiously enough, modern Scotland retains this song in nearly all the rude simplicity of the Icelandic just referred to; though the negotiation, instead of being taken as a matter of course, is turned into a satire, being treated as the endeavor of a rich old bachelor to purchase a wife. In the stewartry of Kirkendbright, says Chambers, _Janet jo_ is a dramatic entertainment among young rustics on winter evenings. A youth, disguised as an old bachelor, enters the room bonnet in hand, bowing, and declaring that "he has come to court Janet jo." The goodwife then demands, "What'll ye gie for Janet jo?" He responds, a "peck of siller," but is told, "Gae awa', ye auld carle!" He retires, but soon returns, and increases his offer, which is less scornfully rejected, until he proffers "three pecks of gowd," which is accepted with the words-- "Come ben beside Janet jo, Janet jo, Janet jo, Ye're welcome to Janet jo, Janet, my jo." The affair then ends in kissing. A comparison of details (such as the diminishing scorn of the bargainer, and chagrin of the suitors at each rejection) leaves no doubt that the Icelandic and Scotch forms of the game were once (but many centuries since) identical. The German versions are numerous, but corrupt, and less ancient and characteristic. In one of the most spirited the mother assigns as a reason for refusing the suitor, that Her tresses are not braided, Her wedding-gown not done. Similarly, we find in an English fragment, My mead's not made, my cake's not baked, And you cannot have my daughter Jane. There is a French form, not otherwise especially interesting, which resembles our No. 3.[37]