[Pauses and starts.]
Nicolay
Watch out for that door, Edward——
[Edward bows, and exits to door leading to the main corridor. Nicolay returns to his task of reading the letters—one he tosses into the basket wearily—one he crumples in anger and hurls into the basket.]
Nicolay
The fools——!
[He is absorbed in a letter when Mrs. Lincoln enters in a state of nervous excitement. He rises quickly, and goes to meet her.]
What is it, Mrs. Lincoln——?
Mrs. Lincoln
I have just heard that the Republican National Committee is in Washington——!