Teams were unhooked and tied to endgates where they could feed on the hay in the wagonbeds, for this would be an all-night dance. The whole country, from the Battle Meadows to the Grand Peaks, and all up and down the river, would come with box suppers and the children. The town closed up, save for the saloons, and by dark the fiddle and accordion music was pouring out into the main street through the open windows of the hall, for this was the only break in the long summer’s work before round-up. Through the open window of her room, Tess could hear the music, and she hummed along with the fiddles now as she stopped before the mirror, giving her pale hair a final caress. She wished the mirror were bigger, but she had no misgivings about her appearance. This was a foolish dress, all white with a low, tight-fitting bodice and short sleeves with gay blue ribbon threaded through them, but she liked it and it made her feel good each time she wore it. She blew the lamp then and went down into the lobby, which was crowded with men in dark suits and couples waiting impatiently for other couples.
