Lincoln: We mean to set bounds to slavery.  The South will resist.  They may try to break away from the Union.  That cannot be allowed.  If the Union is set aside America will crumble.  The saving of it may mean blood.

Mrs. Lincoln: Who is to shape it all if you don’t?

Lincoln: There’s nobody.  I know it.

Mrs. Lincoln: Then go.

Lincoln: Go.

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.