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.] MRS. LINCOLN God bless you, child---- [NICOLAY _enters by the other door._] --Hurry! BETTY If it's dresses--I'll beat them to the White House! [BETTY _exits._] NICOLAY The President is coming, Madam---- MRS. LINCOLN I'm going. But I may want to see him before that Committee--in case I send in--see that he comes, will you? NICOLAY I'll try to manage it. The friends of the Chief may call on you for some inside work, Madam. MRS. LINCOLN [_Eagerly._] I'll do my part, never fear! [MRS. LINCOLN _exits and_ NICOLAY _hastily arranges his desk and stands at attention as_ LINCOLN _enters._] [LINCOLN _crosses the room with long nervous stride, reaches his desk, looks at the pile of letters and shakes his head wearily._] LINCOLN Sorry for you, John, with all these letters on your hands---- [_Laughs._] _You_ have to work----! NICOLAY I'm trying to get them out of your way, sir---- LINCOLN Thank you--you know the ones I want to see---- NICOLAY Yes, sir---- LINCOLN [_Softly._] And don't forget that no man or woman can be turned from that door, who comes here to ask for the saving of a human life---- [_Pauses._] There's a firing squad shooting a boy down in Virginia this morning----! [_Shakes his head._] I hope I didn't do wrong to let them. Somehow I could not find an excuse to save him---- [_Sighs._]