You know this meeting reminds me of what happened in Illinois once----
STEVENS
[_Throwing up his hands in anger._]
I won"t hear it, sir! You and your stories are sending this country to h.e.l.l--it"s not more than a mile from there now!
LINCOLN
I believe it _is_ just a mile from here to the Capitol where you sit!
STEVENS
[_Going in rage._]
d.a.m.nation!
[STEVENS _goes muttering furiously._]
RAYMOND
You will consider our request, Mr. President?
LINCOLN
Raymond, this is the most brutal insult ever offered to a man in my position in the history of this country. I"m going to waive the insult and give your request my earnest thought. If I can save the Union--that"s the only question--that"s the only question!
RAYMOND
You will give us your answer to-day?
LINCOLN
[_Firmly._]
No. I must have time to think. As I"ve listened to you, the conviction grows on me that the life of the Union _may_ be bound with mine now, and I"m not going to give up--_without a fight_.
RAYMOND
[_Brusquely._]
We cannot leave Washington _without your answer_, Mr. President.
LINCOLN
You"ll get it in due time.
RAYMOND
The time is short----
LINCOLN
It may be long enough yet, to save the Nation----
RAYMOND
[_Firmly._]
The Committee _must_ take definite action before we leave--we will give you ten days to decide----
LINCOLN
I understand. Good day, gentlemen!
ALL
[_Bowing out._]
Good day, Mr. President.
[LINCOLN _stands erect, with_ NICOLAY _watching them go in silence.
When the last man is gone, he turns to_ NICOLAY.]
LINCOLN
It"s infamous, John! Infamous!
[MRS. LINCOLN _enters hurriedly._]
Don"t tell her the nasty things old Thad said to me. It will hurt her.
NICOLAY
Of course not.
MRS. LINCOLN
[_Tensely._]
What is it, Father--what did they say?
[_He pauses and she presses him tremblingly._]
What did they say? What did they say?
LINCOLN
[_With dreamy look._]