Pleased to meet you, Captain--the President will be back in a moment. He has just stepped in to speak to Mrs. Lincoln. He is expecting you--make yourselves at home---- BETTY Thank you, Colonel---- [NICOLAY _exits._] What's the matter, dear----? VAUGHAN Nothing--nothing---- BETTY But your arm is trembling---- I didn't realize you're so weak--I keep forgetting that you're just out of the hospital---- VAUGHAN Oh--I'm all right---- BETTY I'm afraid of the strain of this interview----! [_Pauses._] --You've never told me, dear--for what _was_ your father imprisoned? VAUGHAN [_Deliberately._] He made a speech against the war in our town in Missouri and printed it in a pamphlet---- BETTY Oh--for making and circulating seditious writing---- VAUGHAN Technically, yes--in reality for exercising the right of free speech on a policy of the government---- BETTY It may be very serious---- [_Pauses._] --I've an idea----! Let me stay and help you---- VAUGHAN But I may have something to say that a girl's ears should not hear---- BETTY Please don't say it! You differ with the President in politics. You must say nothing to offend him---- VAUGHAN I'll not----! I think I love my country as well as I love my father---- BETTY Let me stay! VAUGHAN You mustn't--I don't need a chaperone---- BETTY But you may need a friend---- VAUGHAN [_Bitterly._] He does wield a terrible power, doesn't he? BETTY Yes--with the tenderness and love of a father---- VAUGHAN [_Lightly._] All right, dear, run along now, see Mrs. Lincoln and get the President to come---- BETTY Can't I stay and help you----? VAUGHAN No, no---- BETTY It means so much to me now----! [_She nestles in his arms and_ VAUGHAN _kisses her._] VAUGHAN I'll know how to plead my cause---- BETTY All right--good luck. I'm sure you'll win---- [BETTY _exits._] [VAUGHAN _walks to the door leading to the Lincoln Apartments, and listens a moment, and walks to the President's desk. His eye rests on the worn copy of the Bible which_ LINCOLN _always kept on his desk. He gazes at the thumbed pages in amazement._] VAUGHAN The Bible--My God! [_Turns its leaves._] And every page thumbed----!