Will was so busy preparing for Gusta’s dance that he forgot about George’s problems. He contacted Hank Swenson and Cloony McBride, two musicians that James Henning had recommended, to ask if they’d help him with the music. Mary gave him the responsibility of inviting the neighbors so she’d have time to pretty-up three old dresses for her girls to wear. She said she wasn’t worried about Gusta’s dress, other than it might put her daughter’s clothes to shame.
Will hoped he hadn’t forgotten anything.
Will herded his girls into the living room to help move the furniture, clearing a space for the dancers who would fill the room that evening.
Before he got them organized, Ruby grabbed his arm. “Where’s Gusta? I thought she’d be down by now.”
“I said she could nap in my room,” Sharon said, “so you wouldn’t wake her when you dressed.”
“You sure did a turnaround since she arrived,” Ruby said.
“I was a little hard on her. I misjudged her. She’s got a big heart.”
“I think it’s her big purse that you like,” Ruby said.
“She was considerate. I didn’t expect her to think of Ed.”
“I think she’s smart,” Catherine said. “But I don’t know how she can nap every afternoon. And she doesn’t get out of bed until we’re done with milking.”
“That’s Southern style,” Ruby said. “She told me all about it.”
“She works hard, once she gets going,” Sharon said. “She’s been a help in the house.”
“It’s no wonder she sleeps in the day,” Ruby said. “She said that at home she’s out late every night. I think she was trying to impress me.”
“We better get moving, girls,” Will said. “The living room and parlor have to be emptied before dinner.”
Will, Sharon, and Ruby lifted the horsehair chair and carried it toward the back porch. Catherine followed with the footstool.
“Let’s get this done,” Will said. “I’ve gotta warm up my fiddle.”
* * *
Will pushed the pocket doors into the side walls and set three chairs inside the back parlor. He plucked on his fiddle strings to make sure they were in tune while Hank Swenson and Clooney McBride brought a mandolin and banjo from their rigs.
“Been a little nippy at night,” Clooney said. He pulled a flagon from his pocket. “Good thing I brought this flask along.”
“Didn’t I see that flask at Cornwell’s auction?” Hank said. “And it was over ninety degrees.”
“For Will.” Clooney nodded toward Will who had started to play a few chords of “Old Dan Tucker.” “Wouldn’t want his throat to go dry. Then who’d call the squares?” Clooney turned toward the parlor, away from the people who streamed into the living room. “Here, Will, have a swig. It’ll lighten your vocals and lubricate your tonsils.”
“I better not. Mary won’t like it.”
“Mary’s in the kitchen. I’d give one to Hank, but he’s dry as the Sahara. Only drinks milk? Ugh!”
“Don’t knock the milk drinkers,” Will said. “That’s our livelihood.” He reached for the flask. “Just one. Don’t let Mary see or we’ll both be sent packing.”
Will took a swig and the three men got ready to play. “Ready? A one, a two, a three.”
The three instruments filled the room with “Old Dan Tucker” as guests grabbed a partner and paraded onto the floor. Will called out, “Honor your partner, honor your corner!”
Each time a guest arrived, Catherine, Ruby, or Sharon headed toward the back bedroom to stack a coat, hat, or sleeping child on their parents’ bed. The older children stayed in the living room and danced until their legs became weary and their eyelids became heavy, and then they joined their younger brothers and sisters on the coat pile.
After twenty minutes, Will called a break. “Ladies and gentlemen, you’ll find refreshments on the dining room table.”
“Did you see Phil Withers come in, Dad?” Catherine said. “I think he’s got eyes for Ruby.” She poked Sharon. “Where’s Ed? I thought he was coming tonight.”
“He’ll be here soon. He said he’d pick up the Sanders on the way. They lost their driving horse last week. I can count on Ed. He’s as faithful as, well, you know, that geyser in Yellowstone. What do they call it?”
“Old Faithful, Sharon, that’s what it’s called,” Ruby said. “Yeah, I guess he is an OLD faithful. Wouldn’t you agree, Dad?”
Will knew better then to get drawn into his daughters’ squabbles. Besides, it was time to begin the second set.
“He’s not old,” Sharon said. “He’s… mature. You’d not know about mature, given the little boys that interest you, now would you, Ruby?”
“Come on, Ruby, let’s go dance,” Catherine called as she started toward the floor. “Where’s Gusta?”
Will finished the call:
The squirrels they love a hickory tree
The clover loves the bumblebee
The flies they love molasses and
The ladies love a ladies man
Will lowered his fiddle. “Take a break, ladies and gentlemen,” he called to the dancers.
Ruby started toward the stairs to find her wayward cousin, but before she got to the bottom step, Phil Withers handed her a bouquet of flowers. “Why, Phil, you’re so thoughtful. I’ll get a vase to put them in.”
Catherine curtsied and, in her best imitation of Ruby’s voice, said, “Why, Phil, you’re so thoughtful.”
Will laughed at his daughter’s shenanigans. He saw Sharon look around the room and heard her sigh before she turned toward the kitchen. Will knew she was anxious about Ed’s late arrival—or maybe it was Gusta that worried her.
“Have you seen Gusta?” Mary said to Will.
“Ruby said she’s still upstairs. Isn’t that right?” Will said to Catherine, who wandered aimlessly now that Ruby was occupied with Phil.
“I told her the dance is in her honor,” Mary said. “When she comes down, introduce her around, will you, Catherine? I’d not want her to feel unwelcome.”
Will noticed Catherine stare toward the stairs as he readied for the next set. Gusta was nowhere in sight.
“I don’t think that’ll be a problem, Mom,” Catherine said.
Will, Hank, and Clooney began to play.
“Form your squares,” Will called out.
I’ve got a cow I call Old Blue
But all that crazy cow can do
Is shake her horns and beller and moo
So promenade boys two by two
When a collective gasp emerged from the crowd, Will, Clooney, and Hank stopped playing, and all eyes turned upward. The vase that Ruby carried from the kitchen dropped from her hands and crashed to the floor.
“Oh, good Lord, it’s Jean Harlow,” Ruby said.
“The hussy,” someone said.
Gusta slinked down the stairs, one step at a time. She wore a black and silver knit gown that was covered in sequins and had a red and black fringe that bottomed out way too far above the black jacquard evening pumps. The neckline plunged toward her breasts, which were adorned by beaded appliqué. A red feathered boa hung from her shoulder, and a red sequined headband encircled her head.
“Mama, it’s indecent,” Sharon said. “We’ll never be able to face our friends again.”
Ed, who just entered the room, didn’t seem to mind though. He stood slack-jawed, joined by the other boys who shared his admiration. Although most of the ladies averted their eyes, Ruby ignored the broken glass at her feet and stared right along with the boys. Sharon grabbed Ed’s arm. “Ed! Help Ruby pick up the pieces.” Then she turned to her mother. “Mom, do something.”
Mary hesitated for a moment, and then she slowly walked to the stairway. She turned to face her neighbors, most of who were frozen in place. “Friends, I want you to meet my dead brother’s only child, Gusta. She’s visiting from Texas and will go to Willow High School this fall. As you can see, Texas is a bit more stylish than we are here in Willow. Because this dance is in her honor, I hope you’ll introduce yourselves and welcome her.”
Sharon looked at Ed, at her mother. “Mom, you can’t.”
The boys rushed forward—to be neighborly, Will thought wryly.
Will plucked his fiddle strings. Hank fingered his mandolin. Clooney took a swig from his flask. At Will’s signal, they began to play.
Oats all heated, spuds all froze
Wheat crops busted, wind still blows
Looks some gloomy, I’ll admit
Get up Dobbin – we ain’t through yit
So engulfed by admiring neighbor youth—Ed among them—Gusta hadn’t made it off the stairs. Will smiled and assumed that Gusta didn’t notice the women’s reaction to her grand entrance. While Sharon ran to the kitchen, the ladies who weren’t dancing clustered, tongues wagging.
The wise old owl he lived in oak
The more he heard the less he spoke
The less he spoke the more he heard
Why aren’t you like that old bird?
Will saw Gusta turn to Ed. “You’re Ed Meadows, aren’t you? Ed, do you suppose that Uncle Will can play ‘Tea for Two?’ I’d like to dance a Texas two-step. Can you do the two-step, Ed? Will you do it with me?”
“I don’t think anyone here can dance a Texas two-step, Miss Gusta, but I bet Will can play ‘Tea for Two.’ That’s an old song we all kinda know. Can you play it, Will?”
Will nodded, but he wondered if this might turn out bad.
“Well, I can’t dance alone,” Gusta said. “I’ll teach you, and you can dance it with me. We’ll cut the rug so that no one will forget tonight.”
“I don’t know, Gusta. Sharon wouldn’t—”
“Oh, come on, Ed. Sharon’s too busy in the kitchen to notice. Let’s go to the back porch and practice.” She took Ed’s hand.
“I’ll tell Sharon—” He tried to pull away, but Gusta’s grip was firm.
“Ed, do you think I’m going to undress you? You’re not scared of a lil old Texas girl, now, are you? I thought you were a ladies man.”
Will heard her suggestions and saw Gusta lead Ed to the back porch—and he worried, but he didn’t want to stop the music and make a scene. He felt a bit better when he saw Catherine follow them. She’d alert him if there were any shenanigans going on.
I love wine and Jeanne loves silk
The little pigs love buttermilk
And ever since the world began
The ladies love a ladies man
Will finished calling another set before Ed reappeared with Catherine a few steps behind him. Will noticed that Catherine seemed to be a bit flushed.
Just then, Sharon walked from the kitchen.
“Dad, where’s Ed?” Sharon said. “I’ve looked all over for him.”
“Why, there he is now, with Catherine. It looks like they’re coming from the back porch.”
“What would he be doing on the back porch?” Sharon said to her father before she rushed across the room toward Ed, who slid behind Catherine as she approached. “What were you doing in the back room?”
Catherine stepped toward her sister. “Ed and Gusta were dancing, Sharon.”
“On the back porch? Why not out here in the living room? That’s where the music is.”
“Don’t be angry, Sharon,” Ed said. “I was learning the Texas two-step, that’s all. Miss Gusta needed a—”
“Gusta needed? Gusta doesn’t need much of anything. It seems she gets whatever she wants. Two-step?” Sharon glared at Ed. “Two-timer is more like it. You can dance with Gusta the rest of tonight, if that’s what you like. You’ll not dance with me.”
Sharon raced toward the kitchen. “Mama!”
It was a shame that on such a gala night his oldest daughter was so upset. Will had worried that Gusta might upset his family’s harmony, but there was little he could do right now that Mary wouldn’t take care of.
A call came from the couples who’d arranged themselves into squares on the dance floor. “Will, we’re waiting. Are you going to play or not?”
Will shouldered his fiddle. “A one, a two,” and the room filled with music.
If I had a girl who wouldn’t dance
I’ll tell you what I would do
I’d put that gal in an old row boat
And paddle my own canoe
Will didn’t see Gusta go up the stairs, but he saw her come down with a ukulele. Gusta came over to Will. He paused and listened, and then he stopped the music and motioned toward Gusta.
When everyone was quiet, Gusta said, “I want to thank y’all for this evening, especially Aunt Mary and Uncle Will who were gracious to host it. I know that my clothes may have shocked y’all, but I’d saved them for a special occasion, and I couldn’t think of anything more special than this dance you threw for me tonight. I do hope y’all forgive me.”
All nodded affirmative, even the old ladies, but none so energetically as the young fellows who had welcomed her earlier. Will thought their heads would topple off.
“Now, I’d like to offer my thanks in two ways. First, I’ll sing you a song, and then I’d like to show you a Texas dance that I do hope y’ll all like. I can’t do the dance alone, so I enlisted Ed’s help. With cousin Sharon’s blessing I’ll ask Ed to join me after we’ve sung one of your favorite songs. Is that okay, cousin Sharon?”
Without much enthusiasm, Sharon nodded her agreement.
Gusta picked up her ukulele and began to strum. “Now y’all join me as soon’s you’re ready.”
On, Wisconsin! On, Wisconsin!
Grand old badger state!
We, thy loyal sons and daughters,
Hail thee, good and great.
Soon everyone was singing so loud that the doors rattled in their casings. Until the screams began they forgot that little children were sleeping in the back bedroom. After a few women rushed toward the back to still the tears, everything quieted and Will took the fiddle again, this time with a less familiar song, “Tea for Two.” Gusta explained the Texas two-step and then invited Ed onto the floor. Ed looked at Sharon who nodded her consent. At first Ed was awkward, but Gusta guided him into the rhythm and steps of the dance, and Ed did himself proud, Will thought. Soon, everyone clapped their hands to the beat, none more enthusiastically than Sharon.
Applause erupted at the dance’s end, and Gusta walked to Sharon and said, “I’ll ask Uncle Will to play it one more time while I show you the steps. Then, you and Ed can dance it together.”
Sharon took Gusta’s hand, and with a smile as wide as the living room, she walked onto the dance floor.
All we need to make us happy
Is two little boys to call me pappy
One named Paul and the other named Davey
One loves ham and the other loves gravy
Will stopped playing and waved his fiddle at the dancers. “It’s been a fun night. I don’t know what I’d do without friends like you and nights like this. It keeps us sane in this sometimes insane world. I hate to end it, but Mary tells me it’s time. We all have work to do in a morning that’s not very far off. One more set, and then we’ll call it a night. Everyone to your squares.”
Allemande right and allemande left
All hands round
Ladies in the swill barrel
Upside down