They are not foolish hopes,—Chief!

Lincoln

This machine here seems to think they are. The darn fool thing will talk one way but won't chirp the other.

Nicolay

What shall I tell them?

Lincoln

[Listening at the instrument.]

Anything—tell them a funny story!

[Listening.]

They need a laugh—the bunch of undertakers! Waiting for me to deliver my corpse to them!—Restless, because I haven't given it up sooner!