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Captain Vaughan,--Colonel Nicolay----
NICOLAY
[_Studying_ VAUGHAN.]
Pleased to meet you, Captain--the President will be back in a moment.
He has just stepped in to speak to Mrs. Lincoln. He is expecting you--make yourselves at home----
BETTY
Thank you, Colonel----
[NICOLAY _exits._]
What's the matter, dear----?
VAUGHAN
Nothing--nothing----
BETTY
But your arm is trembling---- I didn't realize you're so weak--I keep forgetting that you're just out of the hospital----
VAUGHAN
Oh--I'm all right----
BETTY
I'm afraid of the strain of this interview----!
[_Pauses._]
--You've never told me, dear--for what _was_ your father imprisoned?
VAUGHAN
[_Deliberately._]
He made a speech against the war in our town in Missouri and printed it in a pamphlet----
BETTY
Oh--for making and circulating seditious writing----
VAUGHAN
Technically, yes--in reality for exercising the right of free speech on a policy of the government----
BETTY
It may be very serious----
[_Pauses._]
--I've an idea----! Let me stay and help you----
VAUGHAN
But I may have something to say that a girl's ears should not hear----
BETTY
Please don't say it! You differ with the President in politics. You must say nothing to offend him----
VAUGHAN
I'll not----! I think I love my country as well as I love my father----
BETTY
Let me stay!
VAUGHAN
You mustn't--I don't need a chaperone----
BETTY
But you may need a friend----
VAUGHAN
[_Bitterly._]
He does wield a terrible power, doesn't he?
BETTY
Yes--with the tenderness and love of a father----
VAUGHAN
[_Lightly._]
All right, dear, run along now, see Mrs. Lincoln and get the President to come----
BETTY
