NICOLAY

I couldn't find out. But you can use the opportunity to gain his
confidence. He is engaged to a girl who is Mrs. Lincoln's intimate
friend--a girl who admires and trusts you. You can _win him_,
Chief, if you only try!

LINCOLN

[_With excited emphasis._]

Don't you worry--I'm going to try----!

[_Pauses._]

--You wait and show them in. I'll report to Mother my talk with
McClellan. She'll be uneasy about it. I'll be back in a minute----

NICOLAY

All right, sir.

[LINCOLN _exits._]

[NICOLAY _watches him go with deep sympathy, shaking his head as_
BETTY _and_ VAUGHAN _enter._]

Oh, Miss Winter----

BETTY

Captain Vaughan,--Colonel Nicolay----

NICOLAY

[_Studying_ VAUGHAN.]

Pleased to meet you, Captain--the President will be back in a moment.
He has just stepped in to speak to Mrs. Lincoln. He is expecting
you--make yourselves at home----

BETTY

Thank you, Colonel----

[NICOLAY _exits._]

What's the matter, dear----?

VAUGHAN

Nothing--nothing----

BETTY

But your arm is trembling---- I didn't realize you're so weak--I keep
forgetting that you're just out of the hospital----

VAUGHAN

Oh--I'm all right----

BETTY

I'm afraid of the strain of this interview----!

[_Pauses._]

--You've never told me, dear--for what _was_ your father imprisoned?

VAUGHAN

[_Deliberately._]

He made a speech against the war in our town in Missouri and printed it
in a pamphlet----

BETTY

Oh--for making and circulating seditious writing----

VAUGHAN

Technically, yes--in reality for exercising the right of free speech on
a policy of the government----

BETTY

It may be very serious----

[_Pauses._]

--I've an idea----! Let me stay and help you----

VAUGHAN

But I may have something to say that a girl's ears should not hear----

BETTY

Please don't say it! You differ with the President in politics. You
must say nothing to offend him----

VAUGHAN

I'll not----! I thin