[NICOLAY _ushers out the three Negroes and shows in a stately black-robed figure in mourning for her dead. She walks quietly to the President and extends her hand with a gracious smile._] THE WOMAN Perhaps I've done wrong to take up your time---- LINCOLN My time belongs to the people, Madam---- THE WOMAN I've come to you, Mr. President, under an impulse I could not resist. Mr. Stoddard, your third Secretary, is my friend. He told me this morning that all night the sound of your footfall came from this room. He heard it at nine, at ten, at eleven. At midnight the Secretary of War left the door ajar and the steady tramp came with heavier sound. The last thing he heard at three was the muffled beat upstairs. The guard said it had not stopped at daylight. I saw you staggering alone under a Nation's sorrow and I wondered if you had been given the vision to see the dawn of a new life for our people. I know I'm looking into the eyes of the man whose word can stop this war and divide the Union--I have come to tell you that I lost my first born son at Fredericksburg--a lad of twenty---- [_She pauses and_ LINCOLN _bends and presses her hand._] May God help you in your trials, Mr. President, as he has helped me in mine---- LINCOLN [_Startled._] You lost your first born at Fredericksburg and come to say this to me? THE WOMAN And I've been praying for you, day and night since---- LINCOLN [_Softly._] Will you say that again, Madam---- THE WOMAN I have been praying for you, day and night, and I've come this morning to bring you this message--Be strong and courageous, and God will bring the Nation through! LINCOLN You say this to me--standing beside the grave of your son? THE WOMAN And beside the cot of my other boy of sixteen who was dangerously wounded in General Grant's last battle. I am proud of two such sons to lay on the altar of my country. I _had_ to tell you that I'm praying for you. [LINCOLN _closes both hands over hers and holds them a moment in silence._] LINCOLN [_With upward gaze._] How strange that you should come to me in this black hour with such a message. I've often wondered if the soul of my mother were not speaking to me! The day she died in the woods of Indiana, she told me that if dark hours came, her spirit would be watching, and she'd help me if she could! While you were talking to me--I got the tremor of her voice and the quiver of her lips--how strange! [_Looking down into her face._] Thank you, Madam! You have brought me medicine for both body and soul. [LINCOLN _presses her hand again and she quietly goes as he gazes after her._]