The First Lady
by Fried Herman
Longways duple, Barnes, gentle 6/8 Bb
Counts are in BEATS!

[First lady and whoever she goes around and lights next to do 1/2 figure;
skip-change step for both As.]

A1   8  First couple half figure-eight through second couple.
     8  Dancers in "men's" line half figure-eight through "women's" line.
A2   8  Ladies half figure-eight through men.
     8  Dancer's in "women's" line half figure-eight through "men'" line.
B1   8  [Open ladies chain halfway]
        Men move into partner's place while ladies cross by right hand. 
        Then left-hand turn with contrary  into 
     8  Left-hand star once around.
        (Men flip around to face partner (behind them) and take two hands.
B2   8  First couple half a draw poussette, second couple regular
        half-poussette
        (Men falling back to continue the momentum of the star).
     4  First couple cast into second place, second dance up.
     4  Turn partners both hands.


or 
"2nd corner top person will invite each dancer in turn for half-figure 8".
"It will always be the inviter and the person on their right once their
facing that direction."  If your feet will do it, skip-change step for
all the figure 8s.

A1: Top people face DOWN, half figure eight 
    people now in left file (orig second corners), HF8 ACROSS

A2: Bottoms  (orig right file) HF8 UP
    people now in right file (original 1s) HF8 across

[Now next to partner on one side of the set  or the other]

[open chain halfway]
B1: 1-4: The 2nd diagonals chain across right hand while their partners move
         into the vacated places to meet the incoming neighbor with left hand and
          turn to sideline, keeping hold of hands
    5-8: Bring the joined hands into an LH star, with the ones who crossed in front;
         turn the star once round.
         and current first diagonals, swivel to face partner.
        (Or, "if you can't see your partner, turn around".)

B2: 1-4:  Continuing the momentum of the star, 
     1s draw poussette halfway WHILE 2s regular half-poussette [all home]
    5-6: 1s cast down while 2s lead up
    7-8: Partners turn two hands  (setting up the 1s to launch into the next round)