"Yes. I have it as straight as the crow lies that Snoutful Kelly's wife and children are actually sufferin' for food. Do you suppose your mother will fix up a basket?"
"Of course—but, Abraham—this is the coldest night of the winter! Mother!" Ann called rather excitedly, "come here!"
Mrs. Rutledge entered with a yellow bowl in which she was beating buckwheat batter to put by the fire to rise for breakfast cakes.
"Mother!" exclaimed Ann. "Abraham says he is going to Muddy Point."
Mrs. Rutledge turned and stared at Abe Lincoln a moment as if to make sure he were there. Then she said, "Are you joking, Abraham?"
"No, indeed—I'm goin'. Old Kelly's wife is sick and the children are hungry. I got it straight, and I can't sit by this warm fire so comfortable and think of them sufferin', I've got to go."
"But, Abraham Lincoln, there is not another person in New Salem, not a living soul of them, that would do it such a night as this."
Abe Lincoln laughed. Then he said, "That's all the more reason I must go. Will you send a basket?"
"To be sure—but it's an awful cold night and you haven't any long-coat."