That may be so--too---- MRS. LINCOLN Tell me one thing--is the man who has this appointment at eight the traitor whom Raymond's Committee is trying to put in your place----? LINCOLN No! Yet--if there _is_ anywhere a better man who can render the country a greater service than I can, he _ought_ to be in my place---- MRS. LINCOLN But don't you see that it isn't really the man who can give the greater service who will win in such a treacherous fight? It's the liar and the hypocrite who may win. LINCOLN I have no right in such an hour to think of my own ambitions. My personal desire for a second term is the biggest thing in my life, God knows---- [_He pauses as his voice breaks--he struggles a moment and lifts his hand as if to throw off an obsession with a determined smile._] And yet, my personal desire is a petty thing! My duty to-day is the _biggest_ thing in the world! MRS. LINCOLN You won't take my advice and send these men about their business? LINCOLN Mary, I've got to fight this thing out alone, with myself and God---- MRS. LINCOLN I sometimes think, Father, that you're the stubbornest man the Lord ever made! LINCOLN I've got to be--to do this job---- [MRS. LINCOLN _exits._] [LINCOLN _paces the floor with his arms locked behind him in tense thought._] [NICOLAY _enters._] NICOLAY The carriage is approaching, sir. LINCOLN The coast is clear? NICOLAY Yes. Edward has gone---- [_He pauses._] You, of course, realize, Chief, the importance of a cool head in dealing with McClellan---- LINCOLN I won't lose my temper, John. NICOLAY McClellan may lose his---- LINCOLN I'll watch out---- [_Looking over his desk._] That report of Baker's on the Copperhead Societies---- NICOLAY [_Pointing._] Under that paper weight, sir---- LINCOLN Oh, yes, I see---- [_Picks up report, glances at it, and lays it back on his desk._] I'm ready--bring him in. See that we are not interrupted, and when he goes, I'll not need you any more to-night. I'll let in the young people myself, at nine o'clock. NICOLAY Yes, sir. [NICOLAY _exits and_ LINCOLN _returns to his desk and writes._]