[_Looking up._]
Come right in, Miss Betty--I know what you want.
BETTY
Nothing yet from General Sherman?
LINCOLN
Nothing----
BETTY
And no message of any kind from John since he left?
LINCOLN
Not yet.
BETTY
Why--_why_ hasn"t he reported?
LINCOLN
[_Hopefully._]
I"m sure--remember, _sure to a moral certainty_--that he left Richmond safely.
BETTY
[_Eagerly._]
You _have_ a message then?
LINCOLN
Indirectly----
BETTY
Oh----
LINCOLN
[_To_ EDWARD _at door._]
Edward, ask Mr. Gilmore to step in here a minute.
EDWARD
Yes, sir.
LINCOLN
Gilmore"s report ought to be worth half a million votes for me--it may be worth something to you--
[GILMORE _enters._]
Gilmore, did you see a handsome young fellow in Confederate uniform taking notes at your interview with Davis----
GILMORE
Yes, sir, and I knew him too----
BETTY
[_Eagerly._]
It was Captain Vaughan?
GILMORE
Sure! He denied it, of course, but I knew him all right.
BETTY
He was well?
GILMORE
I never saw him looking better. He was scared stiff, of course, and so were we----
BETTY
Thank you!
LINCOLN
That"ll do, Gilmore. I wish you"d help Nicolay choke that Committee off a little while--and you come with them when they break in--will you?
GILMORE
Gladly, Mr. President.
[GILMORE _exits._]
LINCOLN