[BETTY _enters--a young woman 25 years old--poised, cultured,
charming._]

MRS. LINCOLN

[_Meeting Betty._]

Welcome--my child----

BETTY

You're always so kind----!

NICOLAY

Excuse me, ladies--while I go out and get rid of some of these people
waiting to see the President----

[NICOLAY _exits._]

MRS. LINCOLN

Tell me, dear, you've heard something--the Republican National
Committee are at your father's----

BETTY

They _were_ there--they've adjourned to Thaddeus Stevens' house
across the street from us---- They were locked in with father for two
hours----

MRS. LINCOLN

Locked in----?

BETTY

[_Nods._]

With the keyhole chinked up----!

MRS. LINCOLN

And you didn't get a hint of what they're up to----?

BETTY

Not the faintest----

MRS. LINCOLN

Oh, Betty--they're discussing me----

BETTY

They didn't mention your name----

MRS. LINCOLN

How do you know----?

BETTY

Well--I did hear a little----! I could hear from the next room when
they got excited! It's Abraham Lincoln they're discussing--not his
wife----

MRS. LINCOLN

You're sure----?

BETTY

Sure----! It sounded like a regular dog fight--with one big brute
howling----

[_Imitates._]

--the President's name above the din----

MRS. LINCOLN

But, you can't be sure, my dear----

BETTY

What on earth could they be discussing you for----?

MRS. LINCOLN

My loyalty, of course--you know that my brothers are in the Southern
Army, fighting the Union. Fools have accused me of giving them
important secrets of the Government. When I _hate_ them for all
they have done to me and mine----!

BETTY

But my dear Mrs. Lincoln--no one believes such lies about you now--not
even in this bitter campaign--it's absurd----

MRS. LINCOLN

[_Hesitates._]

That is not the real thing I'm afraid of, child--it's something
worse--I'