"This is the woman I told you about. I want a good room for her," Mrs. Lincoln said to the clerk.
"We have no room for her, madam," was the pointed rejoinder.
"But she must have a room. She is a friend of mine, and I want a room for her adjoining mine."
"We have no room for her on your floor."
"That is strange, sir. I tell you that she is a friend of mine, and I am sure you could not give a room to a more worthy person."
"Friend of yours, or not, I tell you we have no room for her on your floor. I can find a place for her on the fifth floor."
"That, sir, I presume, will be a vast improvement on my room. Well, if she goes to the fifth floor, I shall go too, sir. What is good enough for her is good enough for me."
"Very well, madam. Shall I give you adjoining rooms, and send your baggage up?"
"Yes, and have it done in a hurry. Let the boy show us up. Come, Elizabeth," and Mrs. L. turned from the clerk with a haughty glance, and we commenced climbing the stairs. I thought we should never reach the top; and when we did reach the fifth story, what accommodations! Little three-cornered rooms, scantily furnished. I never expected to see the widow of President Lincoln in such dingy, humble quarters.
"How provoking!" Mrs. Lincoln exclaimed, sitting down on a chair when we had reached the top, and panting from the effects of the climbing. "I declare, I never saw such unaccommodating people. Just to think of them sticking us away up here in the attic. I will give them a regular going over in the morning."