Seward:  Thank you.

THE CLERK goes.  This is unfortunate.  Say nothing, and go at once.

LINCOLN comes in, now whiskered and bearded.

Lincoln:  Good-morning, Mr. Seward.  Good-morning, gentlemen.

Seward:  Good-morning, Mr. President.  And I am obliged to you for calling, gentlemen.  Good-morning.

He moves towards the door.

Lincoln:  Perhaps these gentlemen could spare me ten minutes.

White:  It might not—­

Lincoln:  Say five minutes.

Jennings:  Perhaps you would—­

Lincoln:  I am anxious always for any opportunity to exchange views with our friends of the South.  Much enlightenment may be gained in five minutes.  Be seated, I beg you—­if Mr. Seward will allow us.

Seward:  By all means.  Shall I leave you?

Lincoln:  Leave us—­but why?  I may want your support, Mr. Secretary, if we should not wholly agree.  Be seated, gentlemen.

SEWARD places a chair for LINCOLN, and they sit at the table.

You have messages for us?

White:  Well, no, we can’t say that.

Lincoln:  No messages?  Perhaps I am inquisitive?

Seward:  These gentlemen are anxious to sound any moderating influences.

Lincoln:  I trust they bring moderating influences with them.  You will find me a ready listener, gentlemen.

Jennings:  It’s a delicate matter, Mr. Lincoln.  Ours is just an informal visit.

Lincoln:  Quite, quite.  But we shall lose nothing by knowing each other’s minds.

White:  Shall we tell the President what we came to say, Mr. Seward?

Lincoln:  I shall be grateful.  If I should fail to understand, Mr. Seward, no doubt, will enlighten me.

Jennings:  We thought it hardly worth while to trouble you at so early a stage.

Lincoln:  So early a stage of what?

Jennings:  I mean—­

Seward:  These gentlemen, in a common anxiety for peace, were merely seeking the best channel through which suggestions could be made.

Lincoln:  To whom?

Seward:  To the government.

Lincoln:  The head of the government is here.

White:  But—­

Lincoln:  Come, gentlemen.  What is it?

Jennings:  It’s this matter of Fort Sumter, Mr. President.  If you withdraw your garrison from Fort Sumter it won’t be looked upon as weakness in you.  It will merely be looked upon as a concession to a natural privilege.  We believe that the South at heart does not want secession.  It wants to establish the right to decide for itself.

Lincoln:  The South wants the stamp of national approval upon slavery.  It can’t have it.