Nicolay

Of course not.

Mrs. Lincoln

[Tensely.]

What is it, Father—what did they say?

[He pauses and she presses him tremblingly.]

What did they say? What did they say?

Lincoln

[With dreamy look.]

They told me in plain English that I am the most unpopular man in the United States—that my conduct of the war is a series of blunders, my administration a failure!