A Man of the People Part 23

You know this meeting reminds me of what happened in Illinois once----

STEVENS

[_Throwing up his hands in anger._]

I won't hear it, sir! You and your stories are sending this country to h.e.l.l--it's not more than a mile from there now!

LINCOLN

I believe it _is_ just a mile from here to the Capitol where you sit!

STEVENS

[_Going in rage._]

d.a.m.nation!

[STEVENS _goes muttering furiously._]

RAYMOND

You will consider our request, Mr. President?

LINCOLN

Raymond, this is the most brutal insult ever offered to a man in my position in the history of this country. I'm going to waive the insult and give your request my earnest thought. If I can save the Union--that's the only question--that's the only question!

RAYMOND

You will give us your answer to-day?

LINCOLN

[_Firmly._]

No. I must have time to think. As I've listened to you, the conviction grows on me that the life of the Union _may_ be bound with mine now, and I'm not going to give up--_without a fight_.

RAYMOND

[_Brusquely._]

We cannot leave Was.h.i.+ngton _without your answer_, Mr. President.

LINCOLN

You'll get it in due time.

RAYMOND

The time is short----

LINCOLN

It may be long enough yet, to save the Nation----

RAYMOND

[_Firmly._]

The Committee _must_ take definite action before we leave--we will give you ten days to decide----

LINCOLN

I understand. Good day, gentlemen!

ALL

[_Bowing out._]

Good day, Mr. President.

[LINCOLN _stands erect, with_ NICOLAY _watching them go in silence.

When the last man is gone, he turns to_ NICOLAY.]

LINCOLN

It's infamous, John! Infamous!

[MRS. LINCOLN _enters hurriedly._]

Don't tell her the nasty things old Thad said to me. It will hurt her.

NICOLAY

Of course not.

MRS. LINCOLN

[_Tensely._]

What is it, Father--what did they say?

[_He pauses and she presses him tremblingly._]

What did they say? What did they say?

LINCOLN

[_With dreamy look._]