Albert: Stuff and sentimentalism, that's what they are! Sally: O, Albert, how can you talk so? Think of it! Today is his birthday; today you should delight to honor him. Albert: His birthday! Who cares? Sally: Everyone should give thanks for this day. Albert (_laughing_): What nonsense you talk, Sally Caroline. Sally: Well, you will see. The time will come when the Country will celebrate his birthday just as they now do Washington's. Albert: O, come now, that's too much. It's bad enough to know that we are to have another four years of his tyranny, without hearing you sing his praises. Sally: But, you'll _have_ to hear it; the war will soon be over, and he will be proclaimed as the Savior of his Country. Albert: O, stop! The war is not anywhere near over: it is but begun. I'll not listen to this talk any longer. I resent it. I'll not hear any more of Abraham Lincoln. (_Goes up stage in great excitement._) Sally (_excitedly_): Why, Albert! How can you talk so? Why you sound just like a rebel. Albert (_turns and coming to center stands_): And that is just what I am, a rebel! A rebel against the tyranny of Abraham Lincoln. (Sally _drops into rocking-chair at left-front; buries her face in her handkerchief and sobs violently._) Albert (_comes down_): There, there, little sister! don't take on so; surely you have known my sentiments before this. Sally (_rising_): O, but you never talked quite so wickedly before. How could you say things like that with his noble, benign face looking straight at you? Albert (_scornfully_): Noble, benign face, indeed! I'll tear it into ribbons. I have put up with this thing long enough. (_He goes toward picture._ Sally _runs quickly, intercepts him, and stands in front of picture, placing her arms protectingly across it._) Albert: Stand aside! Sally: Never! Albert (_loudly_): Stand aside, I say! Sally: Never! Mrs. Mortimer (_enters at right_): Children, what in the world are you doing? Albert, was that you speaking like that to your sister? I could hardly believe my ears. (Albert _goes to sofa and buries his face in his hands._) What in the world are you doing, Sally Caroline? Come and sit down. Sally: No, mother, not until Albert promises me that he will not molest this picture. Mrs. Mortimer: Molest that picture! Why should he? Your father paid ten good dollars of United States money for that picture and I reckon Albert doesn't want to waste money like that. Come here, Albert. (_She sits in rocking-chair at right-front._) Do come away from that picture, Sally Caroline; how ridiculous you look spread out there. Come away, I say! Sally: No, mother; not until Albert promises me that he will not harm this picture. Mrs. Mortimer: Of course he will not harm it. I can answer for that. Harm a picture which his father loves so well? I cannot imagine my son doing a deed like that. Albert, come to me.