Hook: Why doesn't the President come? One would think this news was nothing.
Chase: I must say I'm anxious to know what he has to say about it all.
A CLERK comes in.
Clerk: The President's compliments, and he will be here in a moment.
He goes.
Hook: I shall oppose it if it comes up.
Chase: He may say nothing about it.
Seward: I think he will.
Stanton: Anyhow, it's the critical moment.
Blair: Here he comes.