Chapter 36

_COUNTERS._

Let us agree that a _Red_ Counter, placed within a Cell, shall mean "This Cell is _occupied_" (i.e. "There is at least _one_ Thing in it").

Let us also agree that a _Red_ Counter, placed on the partition between two Cells, shall mean "The Compartment, made up of these two Cells, is _occupied_; but it is not known _whereabouts_, in it, its occupants are." Hence it may be understood to mean "At least _one_ of these two Cells is occupied: possibly _both_ are."

Our ingenious American cousins have invented a phrase to describe the condition of a man who has not yet made up his mind _which_ of two political parties he will join: such a man is said to be "=sitting on the fence=." This phrase exactly describes the condition of the Red Counter.

Let us also agree that a _Grey_ Counter, placed within a Cell, shall mean "This Cell is _empty_" (i.e. "There is _nothing_ in it").

[The Reader had better provide himself with 4 Red Counters and 5 Grey ones.]

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