A Man of the People Part 7

NICOLAY

That's what these letters demand----

EDWARD

You couldn't believe it---- No wonder his eyes sink back in his head, an' he looks as if he were seeing ghosts----

[_Pauses and starts._]

NICOLAY

Watch out for that door, Edward----

[EDWARD _bows, and exits to door leading to the main corridor._ NICOLAY _returns to his task of reading the letters--one he tosses into the basket wearily--one he crumples in anger and hurls into the basket._]

NICOLAY

The fools----!

[_He is absorbed in a letter when_ MRS. LINCOLN _enters in a state of nervous excitement. He rises quickly, and goes to meet her._]

What is it, Mrs. Lincoln----?

MRS. LINCOLN

I have just heard that the Republican National Committee is in Was.h.i.+ngton----!

NICOLAY

They are----

MRS. LINCOLN

In conference at Senator Winter's house----?

NICOLAY

Yes----

MRS. LINCOLN

What do they want?

NICOLAY

There are ugly rumors----

MRS. LINCOLN

What----? What----? What----?

NICOLAY

I can't discuss it, Madam, until the Chief knows----

MRS. LINCOLN

Mr. Lincoln doesn't know----

NICOLAY

Not yet. He will, this morning. They've just sent a demand to me that he see them before his public reception begins----

MRS. LINCOLN

You've heard something--you know something--tell me--I can't endure the suspense----

NICOLAY

Only rumors--and they're too ugly to put into words--they're incredible----

MRS. LINCOLN

All the same, you believe them----

[_Impetuously._]

What have you heard----?

NICOLAY

[_Shakes his head._]

The Chief wouldn't like it if I talk, before he knows. I'll tell you a few things I'm _thinking_ in plain English--if you'd like to hear----

MRS. LINCOLN

You can't make it too _plain_ to suit me----

NICOLAY

In my opinion, the devil is to pay. Weak-kneed fools are deserting the Chief. Every man who loves Abraham Lincoln must get off his coat now and fight. He is the only man who can save this Nation to-day, and he's too big and generous to be trusted alone with wolves----

MRS. LINCOLN

What can you mean----? The Republican National Committee have no power over the President of the United States----

NICOLAY