[He pauses and goes over to the Operator—Betty following.]
Say, boy—can't you beat it a little harder and make the blame thing talk for us?
Operator
I wish I could, sir.
Lincoln
Try him again——-
[The Operator calls Atlanta and pauses—Lincoln and Betty bend over with breathless suspense. The instrument gives one click—Lincoln starts. The instrument stops.]
Didn't the thing start to answer?
[The Operator shakes his head.]
Call the War Office and ask Stanton to step over here—My God—why can't we hear!