r hand._]

May God help you in your trials, Mr. President, as he has helped me in
mine----

LINCOLN

[_Startled._]

You lost your first born at Fredericksburg and come to say this to me?

THE WOMAN

And I've been praying for you, day and night since----

LINCOLN

[_Softly._]

Will you say that again, Madam----

THE WOMAN

I have been praying for you, day and night, and I've come this morning
to bring you this message--Be strong and courageous, and God will bring
the Nation through!

LINCOLN

You say this to me--standing beside the grave of your son?

THE WOMAN

And beside the cot of my other boy of sixteen who was dangerously
wounded in General Grant's last battle. I am proud of two such sons to
lay on the altar of my country. I _had_ to tell you that I'm
praying for you.

[LINCOLN _closes both hands over hers and holds them a moment in
silence._]

LINCOLN

[_With upward gaze._]

How strange that you should come to me in this black hour with such a
message. I've often wondered if the soul of my mother were not speaking
to me! The day she died in the woods of Indiana, she told me that if
dark hours came, her spirit would be watching, and she'd help me if she
could! While you were talking to me--I got the tremor of her voice and
the quiver of her lips--how strange!

[_Looking down into her face._]

Thank you, Madam! You have brought me medicine for both body and soul.

[LINCOLN _presses her hand again and she quietly goes as he gazes
after her._]

[NICOLAY _starts to follow her to the door_--LINCOLN _lifts his
hand._]

John, I'm rested now--I'm ready for any work----!

NICOLAY

The National Committee have just arrived, sir.

LINCOLN

All right--let them in!

[LINCOLN _resumes his place beside his desk and the Committee
headed by_ HENRY RAYMOND, _Editor of the New York Times, enter and
solemnly range themselves about the President._]

[_To_ HENRY RAYMOND--_taking his hand formally._]

Raymond, this is an unexpected honor you and your Committee do me. I
thought you were at your desk in the _Times_ office pouring hot shot
into the flanks of our enemies, and the boys were