m going to take you into my confidence now--may I?

BETTY

I'll be tickled to death with the honor----!

MRS. LINCOLN

And I'm going to ask you to help me----

BETTY

I'll be in the Cabinet next----!

MRS. LINCOLN

The truth is, I owe A. T. Stewart and Company an enormous bill for
dresses--$60,000----

BETTY

Sixty thousand--oh, my Lord! That's worse than mine----!

MRS. LINCOLN

I had to get them! The world said the White House would be disgraced by
my awkward husband's regime--I've shown them better! But I just
couldn't tell Mr. Lincoln. He has no idea of the cost of clothes. If
these jackals have found out and attack him on my account, the thought
of it will kill me----

BETTY

But you know he'd defend you against any one who dares attack you.

MRS. LINCOLN

Yes, dear--but it would hurt him so to hear it from their brutal lips.
I want you to find out from your father, if they know----

BETTY

And if they know----?

MRS. LINCOLN

Get here before they do, and I'll head them off--I'll tell Mr. Lincoln
first----

BETTY

[_Smiling._]

On one condition--that you help me----

MRS. LINCOLN

Anything you ask----

BETTY

I've promised my fiance that I would get an appointment for him to see
the President on something very important----

MRS. LINCOLN

Mr. Lincoln will be here in a few minutes. I'll have him see your
sweetheart first----

BETTY

But--it's a personal matter and he doesn't wish to come to a public
reception. He wants an hour alone---- Could you get it for him,
to-night?

MRS. LINCOLN

I--think--so----

BETTY

You'll try----?

MRS. LINCOLN

I'll _do_ it, child--certainly! You're one loyal friend we have in
that crowd of wolves on the Capitol Hill----

BETTY

All right, I'll find out if they're discussing politics or your
dressmaker's bill.

[BETTY _hurries to the door, followed by_ MRS. LINCOLN.]