Summary

Edwin wakes on the morning of April 15th happy and pleasant. Only on journeying home to New York does he learn of Lincoln’s assassination and of the man responsible for it. He and his manager determine it best to cancel his forthcoming performances. Asia hears of the occurrence from a newspaper, and is anguished; she brings out John’s letters. When their house is surrounded by U.S. marshals, Sleeper gives the letters to them and stresses that only Asia knew about them. June, touring in Cincinnati, is narrowly spared hanging. Joe, who is on his way home from Australia, hears of the news while in transit. Rosalie and Mother are informed by several of Edwin’s literary friends, who come to the house to help them mourn. Rosalie does not believe the news. John, meanwhile, has not been arrested and is...