A Man of the People Part 9

MRS. LINCOLN

You're sure----?

BETTY

Sure----! It sounded like a regular dog fight--with one big brute howling----

[_Imitates._]

--the President's name above the din----

MRS. LINCOLN

But, you can't be sure, my dear----

BETTY

What on earth could they be discussing you for----?

MRS. LINCOLN

My loyalty, of course--you know that my brothers are in the Southern Army, fighting the Union. Fools have accused me of giving them important secrets of the Government. When I _hate_ them for all they have done to me and mine----!

BETTY

But my dear Mrs. Lincoln--no one believes such lies about you now--not even in this bitter campaign--it's absurd----

MRS. LINCOLN

[_Hesitates._]

That is not the real thing I'm afraid of, child--it's something worse--I'm going to take you into my confidence now--may I?

BETTY

I'll be tickled to death with the honor----!

MRS. LINCOLN

And I'm going to ask you to help me----

BETTY

I'll be in the Cabinet next----!

MRS. LINCOLN

The truth is, I owe A. T. Stewart and Company an enormous bill for dresses--$60,000----

BETTY

Sixty thousand--oh, my Lord! That's worse than mine----!

MRS. LINCOLN

I had to get them! The world said the White House would be disgraced by my awkward husband's regime--I've shown them better! But I just couldn't tell Mr. Lincoln. He has no idea of the cost of clothes. If these jackals have found out and attack him on my account, the thought of it will kill me----

BETTY

But you know he'd defend you against any one who dares attack you.

MRS. LINCOLN

Yes, dear--but it would hurt him so to hear it from their brutal lips.

I want you to find out from your father, if they know----

BETTY

And if they know----?

MRS. LINCOLN

Get here before they do, and I'll head them off--I'll tell Mr. Lincoln first----

BETTY

[_Smiling._]

On one condition--that you help me----

MRS. LINCOLN

Anything you ask----

BETTY

I've promised my fiance that I would get an appointment for him to see the President on something very important----

MRS. LINCOLN

Mr. Lincoln will be here in a few minutes. I'll have him see your sweetheart first----

BETTY

But--it's a personal matter and he doesn't wish to come to a public reception. He wants an hour alone---- Could you get it for him, to-night?

MRS. LINCOLN