with my life. All that I
am I owe to you----"

[_Her voice sinks to a whisper that is half a laugh of religious
ecstasy._]

ABE

[_Joyfully._]

See how she's smilin'--Pa! She's getting well--I tell you----!

TOM

[_Whispering._]

Don't ye understand, boy----?

ABE

No--what----?

SARAH

What--what is it----?

TOM

[_In deep religious awe._]

Look--look at her eyes----! She's not telling ye a dream--she's
looking through the gates of Heaven----

ABE

No--no--no----!

TOM

It's death--boy--it's come--Lord, God, have mercy----

[ABE _springs to his feet and stares in anguish, as_ TOM _falls on
his knees beside_ NANCY. NANCY'S _hand rests gently on_ TOM'S
_shaggy head, while he sobs. With her other hand she feels for_
ABE'S _and holds it feebly._]

NANCY

Be good to your Father,----

[_She pauses and breathes with difficulty._]

In the days to come, he will be the child and you the man----

ABE

Yes----

NANCY

And love your sister----

[ABE _nods._]

If dark hours come, my spirit will be watching, my son--and I'll help
you if I can----

ABE

Yes, I know it!

NANCY

And remember that you can be a great man in this free country if you
only say--I will----

[NANCY'S _body sinks in death as the boy lifts his face illumined
by the light of a great purpose._]

ABE

Yes, Ma,--I will!

CURTAIN

PERSONS OF THE PLAY

ABRAHAM LINCOLN _The President._
MRS. LINCOLN _His Wife._
COLONEL NICOLAY _His Secretary._
EDWARD _The Doorman._
EDWIN M. STANTON _Secretary of War._
GEN. GEO. B. MCCLELLAN _Lincoln's Rival._
CAPTAIN VAUGHAN _Of the U. S. Army._
BETTY WINTER _His Sweetheart._
THADDEUS STEVENS _Leader of Congress._
HENRY RAYMOND _Editor of the New York Times._
JOHN R. GILMORE _Of the New York Tribune._
COLONEL JACQUESS _A Methodist Clergym