Custis:  Yes.

He does so, looking about him with a certain pathetic inquisitiveness.  Mista Lincoln live here.  You his servant?  A very fine thing for young girl to be servant to Mista Lincoln.

Susan:  Well, we get on very well together.

Custis:  A very bad thing to be slave in South.

Susan:  Look here, you Mr. Custis, don’t you go mixing me up with slaves.

Custis:  No, you not slave.  You servant, but you free body.  That very mighty thing.  A poor servant, born free.

Susan:  Yes, but look here, are you pitying me, with your poor servant?

Custis:  Pity?  No.  I think you very mighty.

Susan:  Well, I don’t know so much about mighty.  But I expect you’re right.  It isn’t every one that rises to the White House.

Custis:  It not every one that is free body.  That is why you mighty.

Susan:  I’ve never thought much about it.

Custis: I think always about it.

Susan:  I suppose you’re free, aren’t you?

Custis:  Yes.  Not born free.  I was beaten when I a little nigger.  I saw my mother—­I will not remember what I saw.

Susan:  I’m sorry, Mr. Custis.  That was wrong.

Custis:  Yes.  Wrong.

Susan:  Are all nig—­I mean are all black gentlemen like you?

Custis:  No.  I have advantages.  They not many have advantages.

Susan:  No, I suppose not.  Here’s Mr. Lincoln coming.

LINCOLN, coated after his heart’s desire, comes to the door.  CUSTIS rises.  This is the gentleman you said, sir.

She goes out with the tray.

Lincoln:_ Mr. Custis, I’m very glad to see you. He offers his hand.  CUSTIS takes it, and is about to kiss it.  LINCOLN stops him gently.  (Sitting): Sit down, will you? Custis (still standing, keeping his hat in his hand): It very kind of Mista Lincoln ask me to come to see him.

Lincoln:  I was afraid you might refuse.

Custis: A little shy?  Yes.  But so much to ask Glad to come.

Lincoln:  Please sit down.

Custis:  Polite?

Lincoln:  Please.  I can’t sit myself, you see, if you don’t.

Custis:  Black, black.  White, white.

Lincoln:  Nonsense.  Just two old men, sitting together (CUSTIS sits to LINCOLN’S gesture)—­and talking.

Custis:  I think I older man than Mista Lincoln.

Lincoln:  Yes, I expect you are, I’m fifty-four.

Custis:  I seventy-two.

Lincoln:  I hope I shall look as young when I’m seventy-two.

Custis:  Cold water.  Much walk.  Believe in Lord Jesus Christ.  Have always little herbs learnt when a little nigger.  Mista Lincoln try.  Very good.