he street blind with crying till I made up my mind to come here.

LINCOLN

We'll fix that then! Nicolay will write you an order that will take you
and your baby to a good hospital and care for you till your husband
comes--and fix it so _he_ can stay here a week with you----

THE MOTHER

[_Laughs._]

I just can't thank you! I'm so happy, all I can do is to laugh!

LINCOLN

Laugh on, little mother--and off with you now--clear out!

[_The mother goes out laughing._]

[NICOLAY _shows the little mother out and returns to_ LINCOLN.]

NICOLAY

The deputation of colored men whom you asked to come this morning are
waiting, sir--will you see them now?

LINCOLN

At once----

[LINCOLN _turns to his desk and takes up a document containing his
plan of Colonization and examines it as_ NICOLAY _and three
well-dressed colored men enter. They are typical Africans._]

FIRST NEGRO

[_Bowing deferentially._]

Mr. President----!

SECOND NEGRO

[_Tenderly._]

_Our_ Father Abraham----

THIRD NEGRO

[_With religious feeling._]

We salute our Savior!

LINCOLN

Welcome, my friends. I have sent for you this morning to place in your
hands a copy of my plan for colonization and to ask your help----

FIRST NEGRO

Yes, sir----

[_The ebony faces with their cream white teeth showing in smiles
and their wide rolling eyes make a striking contrast to the rugged
face and poise of the President._]

LINCOLN

Your race is suffering, in my judgment, the greatest wrong inflicted on
any people. But even when you cease to be slaves, you are yet far
removed from being placed on an equality with the white race. On this
broad continent, not a single man of your race is made the equal of a
single man of ours----

FIRST NEGRO

It's so--yes, it's so----!

LINCOLN

Go where you are treated best and the ban is still upon you. I cannot
alter it if I would. It is better for us both, therefore, to be
separated. For the sake of your people you should sacrifice something
of your present comfort.