hief?

LINCOLN

[_Pauses._]

Partly--I'm going to put McClellan to the supreme test, John. If he
will make me one pledge on the Copperhead issue which I will ask of
him, I'll name for this Committee a candidate they're not looking
for--I'll give them the surprise of their life--so help me God!

NICOLAY

I don't think the General will give that pledge, sir.

LINCOLN

[_Gazing upward and folding his arms._]

I wonder!--I wonder if he will!

[NICOLAY _exits._]

I wonder if he will----

CURTAIN

ACT II

SET SCENE: _The same as Act I at a quarter to eight the same evening_.

AT RISE: EDWARD, _the old Doorman, is straightening the furniture in
the room. He clumsily clears the floor of a litter of letters and
places them in the corner with the unopened bag. He draws the heavy
draperies of the windows and adjusts them so that no ray of light can
reach the outside._ MRS. LINCOLN _enters and watches him fix the
draperies._

MRS. LINCOLN

[_Speaking suddenly._]

Edward----!

EDWARD

[_Jumping in fright._]

Yes, Madam!

MRS. LINCOLN

What on earth are you doing in here----?

EDWARD

[_In terror of_ MRS. LINCOLN.]

Just--er drawin'--er the curtains, Madam.

MRS. LINCOLN

[_Sternly._]

These curtains haven't been drawn in a year----

EDWARD

[_Stammering._]

I-don't-think-they-have-either----

MRS. LINCOLN

You know they haven't!

EDWARD

[_Gulping wind._]

Yes'm----

MRS. LINCOLN

Who told you to draw them?

EDWARD

Colonel Nicolay!

MRS. LINCOLN

Where is he?

EDWARD

Down-stairs, on the door.

MRS. LINCOLN

In your place?

EDWARD

Yes'm----

MRS. LINCOLN

While you're up here acting as house maid?

EDWARD

[_Embarrassed._]

Well, so it seems, Madam----

MRS. LINCOLN

[_Sternly._]

What does this mean?