strathspey@strathspey.org:44466

Thomas G. Mungall, III

Re: Dance Cards and the floor

March 3, 2006, 10:31 p.m. (Message 44466, in reply to message 44464)

These I believe are still used at some vintage and pilgrimage Balls here in
the American South. Usually a lady will reserve the 1st and last dances for
her husband or Beau and all other dances would be claimed by admirers. While
I'm not sure a lady couldn't ask a man, she could use her charms to ask,
pointing out where a particular gent was "saved" a particular dance and pout
about it. "Why Charles! My feelings are hurt, you haven't asked me to dance
and my dance card is all filled up, but I saved you the Virgina Reel, that's
my favorite dance of all! What? I know it's your favorite also! That's why I
saved it for you!"

Tom Mungall
Baton Rouge, La, USA