You see, I understand you--and can trust you implicitly. Now if I give you back this and let you go--will you promise me that no word shall pass your lips of what you've seen inside our lines? VIRGINIA Oh, yes--I promise----! LINCOLN [_Handing her the pass._] May God speed the day, child, when your people and mine shall no longer be enemies---- VIRGINIA Thank you, sir! LINCOLN Run now! [VIRGINIA _exits. At the door she throws him a kiss._] [LINCOLN _comes quickly to the mother and greets her cheerily._] Well, little mother, what's the matter? [_She hesitates and appeals to_ NICOLAY.] NICOLAY Tell him yourself---- THE MOTHER [_Trembling._] If you please, sir, we ain't been married but a little over a year, and my husband's never seen the baby---- LINCOLN That's too bad---- THE MOTHER He's in the army and I couldn't stand it any longer--so I came down to Washington to get a pass to take the baby to him. But he wouldn't let me have it at the War Office---- LINCOLN [_Laughs._] I'll bet old Mars wouldn't--Phew! [_Pauses and turns to_ NICOLAY.] What do you say. John--let's send her down? NICOLAY The strictest orders have been issued to allow no more women to go to the front---- LINCOLN Humph----! Well, I'll tell you what we _can_ do--give her husband a leave of absence, and let _him_ come up here to see _them_! THE MOTHER [_Laughing and crying._] You don't mind my laughing, do you? I just can't help it--I can't stop! I can't stop laughing! LINCOLN Laugh and cry as much as you please--but tell me where are you stopping? THE MOTHER Nowhere yet, sir---- LINCOLN How's that? THE MOTHER I went straight from the depot to the War Office and then I just walked the 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?