LINCOLN [_Cordially._] Good day, Stevens---- [_Pauses._] You know this meeting reminds me of what happened in Illinois once---- STEVENS [_Throwing up his hands in anger._] I won't hear it, sir! You and your stories are sending this country to hell--it's not more than a mile from there now! LINCOLN I believe it _is_ just a mile from here to the Capitol where you sit! STEVENS [_Going in rage._] Damnation! [STEVENS _goes muttering furiously._] RAYMOND You will consider our request, Mr. President? LINCOLN Raymond, this is the most brutal insult ever offered to a man in my position in the history of this country. I'm going to waive the insult and give your request my earnest thought. If I can save the Union--that's the only question--that's the only question! RAYMOND You will give us your answer to-day? LINCOLN [_Firmly._] No. I must have time to think. As I've listened to you, the conviction grows on me that the life of the Union _may_ be bound with mine now, and I'm not going to give up--_without a fight_. RAYMOND [_Brusquely._] We cannot leave Washington _without your answer_, Mr. President. LINCOLN You'll get it in due time. RAYMOND The time is short---- LINCOLN It may be long enough yet, to save the Nation---- RAYMOND [_Firmly._] The Committee _must_ take definite action before we leave--we will give you ten days to decide---- LINCOLN I understand. Good day, gentlemen! ALL [_Bowing out._] Good day, Mr. President. [LINCOLN _stands erect, with_ NICOLAY _watching them go in silence. When the last man is gone, he turns to_ NICOLAY.] LINCOLN It's infamous, John! Infamous! [MRS. LINCOLN _enters hurriedly._] Don't tell her the nasty things old Thad said to me. It will hurt her. NICOLAY Of course not. MRS. LINCOLN [_Tensely._] What is it, Father--what did they say? [_He pauses and she presses him tremblingly._] What did they say? What did they say? LINCOLN [_With dreamy look._] They told me in plain English that I am the most unpopular man in the United States--that my conduct of the war is a series of blunders, my administration a failure! MRS. LINCOLN [_Relieved._] Oh!--is _that_ all! LINCOLN What more----? MRS. LINCOLN I thought they had something important to tell you----