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Show 116 "I'd love to, Karl." She rose swiftly into his arms. The orchestra, which seemed never to tire, began another czardas -- Karl was glad he'd practiced by himself in the corner. As he'd known she'd be, Miss Petrov was a wonderful dancer. They spun around the crowded floor, bumping people and being bumped in return. When the czardas ended Miss Petrov made no move to return to her chair, and Karl, feeling bold, put his arm around her for the next dance without even asking. A man and a woman sang harmony to the music; on the choruses, everyone joined in so wholeheartedly that the lightbulbs seemed to bounce on the electric wires overhead. Karl was exhilarated. The room throbbed with celebration; beautiful Yulyona was in his arms and seemed content to be there; his feet leapt through the dance steps as though he'd been born to them. But at the end of that dance, three burly steelworkers rushed toward them to ask Yulyona for the next. Karl had broken the ice by inviting her to the dance floor; now every man in the hall wanted to dance with her, and there were twice as many men as women. Defeated, Karl crept back to his dark corner, but Andy intercepted him with another glass of slivovice. "Here. You can't dance on one leg, someone told me once," Andy said, holding out the shot glass. Karl took it and sipped slowly this time, so that the brandy's heat didn't outrage his insides, but warmed him and gave him courage. After a moment he said, "Well, I'll just have to get in line, I guess, if I want to dance with her,"' but Andy had already left to dance with |