nd_ LINCOLN _takes_
VIRGINIA _down stage._]

Come down here, dear, so old man Nicolay can't hear us--he mightn't
understand.

[_He sits on a chair and draws the girl close._]

You see, I understand you--and can trust you implicitly. Now if I give
you back this and let you go--will you promise me that no word shall
pass your lips of what you've seen inside our lines?

VIRGINIA

Oh, yes--I promise----!

LINCOLN

[_Handing her the pass._]

May God speed the day, child, when your people and mine shall no longer
be enemies----

VIRGINIA

Thank you, sir!

LINCOLN

Run now!

[VIRGINIA _exits. At the door she throws him a kiss._]

[LINCOLN _comes quickly to the mother and greets her cheerily._]

Well, little mother, what's the matter?

[_She hesitates and appeals to_ NICOLAY.]

NICOLAY

Tell him yourself----

THE MOTHER

[_Trembling._]

If you please, sir, we ain't been married but a little over a year, and
my husband's never seen the baby----

LINCOLN

That's too bad----

THE MOTHER

He's in the army and I couldn't stand it any longer--so I came down to
Washington to get a pass to take the baby to him. But he wouldn't let
me have it at the War Office----

LINCOLN

[_Laughs._]

I'll bet old Mars wouldn't--Phew!

[_Pauses and turns to_ NICOLAY.]

What do you say. John--let's send her down?

NICOLAY

The strictest orders have been issued to allow no more women to go to
the front----

LINCOLN

Humph----! Well, I'll tell you what we _can_ do--give her husband a
leave of absence, and let _him_ come up here to see _them_!

THE MOTHER

[_Laughing and crying._]

You don't mind my laughing, do you? I just can't help it--I can't stop!
I can't stop laughing!

LINCOLN

Laugh and cry as much as you please--but tell me where are you
stopping?

THE MOTHER

Nowhere yet, sir----

LINCOLN

How's that?

THE MOTHER

I went straight from the depot to the War Office and then I just walked
t