_Mrs. Lincoln (after a moment):_ This hat is a disgrace to you, Abraham. You pay no heed to what I say, and you think it doesn't matter. A man like you ought to think a little about gentility. _Lincoln:_ To be sure. I forget. _Mrs. Lincoln:_ You don't. You just don't heed. Samuel Stone's been smoking in here. _Lincoln:_ He's a careless, poor fellow. _Mrs. Lincoln:_ He is, and a fine example you set him. You don't care whether he makes my parlour smell poison or not. _Lincoln:_ Of course I do-- _Mrs. Lincoln:_ You don't. Your head is too stuffed with things to think about my ways. I've got neighbours if you haven't. _Lincoln:_ Well, now, your neighbours are mine, I suppose. _Mrs. Lincoln:_ Then why won't you consider appearances a little? _Lincoln:_ Certainly. I must. _Mrs. Lincoln:_ Will you get a new hat? _Lincoln:_ Yes, I must see about it. _Mrs. Lincoln:_ When? _Lincoln:_ In a day or two. Before long. _Mrs. Lincoln:_ Abraham, I've got a better temper than anybody will ever guess. _Lincoln:_ You have, my dear. And you need it, I confess. SUSAN _comes in._ _Susan:_ The gentlemen have come. _Mrs. Lincoln:_ I'll come to them. _Susan:_ Does the master want a handkerchief, ma'am? He didn't take one this morning. _Lincoln:_ It's no matter now, Susan. _Susan:_ If you please, I've brought you one, sir. _She gives it to him, and goes._ _Mrs. Lincoln:_ I'll send them in. Abraham, I believe in you. _Lincoln:_ I know, I know. MRS. LINCOLN _goes out._ LINCOLN _moves to a map of the United States that is hanging on the wall, and stands silently looking at it. After a few moments_ SUSAN _comes to the door._ _Susan:_ This way, please. _She shows in_ WILLIAM TUCKER, _a florid, prosperous merchant;_ HENRY HIND, _an alert little attorney;_ ELIAS PRICE, _a lean lay preacher; and_ JAMES MACINTOSH, _the editor of a Republican journal._ SUSAN _goes. Tucker:_ Mr. Lincoln. Tucker my name is--William Tucker. _He presents his companions._ Mr. Henry Hind--follows your profession, Mr. Lincoln. Leader of the bar in Ohio. Mr. Elias Price, of Pennsylvania. You've heard him preach, maybe. James Macintosh you know. I come from Chicago. _Lincoln:_ Gentlemen, at your service. How d'ye do, James. Will you be seated? _They sit round the table._ _Tucker_: I have the honour to be chairman of this delegation. We are sent from Chicago by the Republican Convention, to enquire whether you will accept their invitation to become the Republican candidate for the office of President of the United States. _Price_: The Convention is aware, Mr. Lincoln, that under the circumstances, seeing that the Democrats have split, this is more than an invitation to candidature. Their nominee is almost certain to be elected. _Lincoln_: Gentlemen, I am known to one of you only. Do you know my many disqualifications for this work? _Hind_: It's only fair to say that they have been discussed freely.