Raymond stood up out of the booth.
This is my friend Rose Tyler, Maggie said. And Rose, this is Raymond McPheron. I thought it was time you two got to know each other.
How do you do, Rose said.
Ma’am, Raymond said. They shook hands and he glanced at the booth. Would you care to join us?
Thank you, she said. I would.
She slid in and Raymond sat down beside her on the outside edge of the seat. Maggie sat down beside Guthrie across from them. Raymond put his hands forward on the table. He removed his hands and set them in his lap. Would you care to have a drink? he said.
That would be a very good idea, Rose said.
What would you like?
A whiskey sour.
He turned and peered out into the crowded dance hall. I wonder what you got to do to get that barmaid to come back, he said.
The band was playing a fast song, and Maggie nudged Guthrie and they stood up.
Where you two going? Raymond said. You’re not leaving, are you?
Oh, we’ll be back, Maggie said, then they moved out onto the floor and Guthrie swung her out and they began to dance.
Raymond watched them. He turned toward Rose. Maybe I should move over there to the other side.
You don’t have to, she said.
Well. He drank from his glass and swallowed. I’m sorry, I don’t believe I’ve ever heard of you, he said. Do you mind if I ask you about yourself?
I’ve lived in Holt a long time, Rose said. I work for Holt County Social Services.
Welfare, you mean.
Yes. But we don’t call it that anymore. I take care of people who need help. I have a caseload and try to help these people sort out their lives. I distribute food stamps and see that my clients get medical treatment, that kind of thing.
It must be a hard job.
It can be. But what about you? Rose said. I know you live out in the country. Maggie tells me you have a cattle ranch south of town.
Yes ma’am. We have a few cattle.
What kind?
Mostly crossbred blackbaldys.
I think I know that means they’re black with white faces.
Those are the ones. That’s correct.
I’ve heard of you, she said. About you and your brother. I suppose everybody in Holt heard about two men out in the country taking in a pregnant girl to live with them.
It was kind of hot news for a while, I guess, Raymond said. I didn’t much care for it myself. The way people talked. I couldn’t see how it was much of anybody else’s business.
No, Rose said. She looked at him and touched his arm. And I’m so sorry about your brother. I heard about that too. It must have been very hard.
Yes ma’am, it was. It was pretty bad.
He looked out to the dance floor but couldn’t see Maggie and Guthrie. Finally he said: I wonder what become of that barmaid.
Oh, she’ll be here after a while, Rose said. Wouldn’t you care to dance while we’re waiting?
Ma’am?
I said wouldn’t you care to dance.
Well, no ma’am. I don’t dance any. I never have done any dancing.
I have, she said. I can show you.
I’m afraid I’d step all over your toes.
They’ve been stepped on before. Will you try it?
You don’t think we could just sit here.
Let me show you.
Ma’am, I don’t know. You’d be awful sorry.
Let me worry about that. Let’s try.
Well, he said. He stood up and she slid out of the seat and took his hand and led him onto the floor. People were swirling around in what seemed to Raymond a violent and complicated commotion. The band finished the song to a small scattered applause, then began another in slow four-beat time. Raymond and Rose Tyler stood in the middle of the dance floor, and she drew his hand around the soft silky waist of her dress and set one of her hands on the shoulder of his wool shirt. Now just follow me, she said. She clasped his free hand and stepped back, pulling him toward her. He took a little step. Don’t look at your feet, she said.
What am I supposed to look at?