Stanton:  Could this be left over a short time for consideration?

Chase:  I feel that we should remember that our only public cause at the moment is the preservation of the Union.

Hook:  I entirely agree.

Lincoln:  Gentlemen, we cannot escape history.  We of this administration will be remembered in spite of ourselves.  No personal significance or insignificance can spare one or another of us.  In giving freedom to the slave we assure freedom to the free.  We shall nobly save or meanly lose the last, best hope on earth.

He places the proclamation in front of him.

“Shall be thenceforward and forever free.”

Gentlemen, I pray for your support.

He signs it.

THE MINISTERS rise.  SEWARD, WELLES, and BLAIR shake LINCOLN’S hand and go out.  STANTON and CHASE bow to him, and follow.  HOOK, the last to rise, moves away, making no sign.

Lincoln:_ Hook.

Hook:  Yes, Mr. President.

Lincoln:  Hook, one cannot help hearing things.

Hook:  I beg your pardon?

Lincoln:  Hook, there’s a way some people have, when a man says a disagreeable thing, of asking him to repeat it, hoping to embarrass him.  It’s often effective.  But I’m not easily embarrassed.  I said one cannot help hearing things.

Hook:  And I do not understand what you mean, Mr. President.

Lincoln:  Come, Hook, we’re alone.  Lincoln is a good enough name.  And I think you understand.

Hook:  How should I?

Lincoln:  Then, plainly, there are intrigues going on.

Hook:  Against the government?

Lincoln:  No.  In it.  Against me.

Hook:  Criticism, perhaps.

Lincoln:  To what end?  To better my ways?

Hook:  I presume that might be the purpose.

Lincoln:  Then, why am I not told what it is?

Hook:  I imagine it’s a natural compunction.

Lincoln:  Or ambition?

Hook:  What do you mean?

Lincoln:  You think you ought to be in my place.

Hook:  You are well informed.

Lincoln:  You cannot imagine why every one does not see that you ought to be in my place.

Hook:  By what right do you say that?

Lincoln:  Is it not true?

Hook:  You take me unprepared.  You have me at a disadvantage.

Lincoln:  You speak as a very scrupulous man, Hook.

Hook:  Do you question my honour?

Lincoln:  As you will.

Hook:  Then I resign.

Lincoln:  As a protest against...?

Hook:  Your suspicion.

Lincoln:  It is false?