"Love"—the word was given to McNeil.
A giggle went around the room and the words, "John McNeil," were whispered as he spelled "L-o-v-e—love."
"Give the definition," the master said.
"Love is—is—love—is"—John McNeil hesitated and stopped.
"Who knows what love is?" Mentor Graham asked.
Half a dozen hands were raised, among them the big hand of Abe Lincoln, which seemed reaching into the rafters.
"Abe Lincoln," called the master.
"Love is an agreeable passion; love is sometimes stronger than death, and folks that love know it."
Mentor Graham dropped his eye on the open page of the spelling book. "Where did you get your definition?" he asked.
"From the book," Abe Lincoln replied.