Nicolay

The Secretary of War is out there now, champing his bit, to head you off on some of them, I think——

Lincoln

Don't let old Mars in yet. He's no business here at this hour. Let him paw a hole in the ground.

[Pauses.]

Any news from the front, this morning?

Nicolay

[Handing him a telegram.]

From General Grant's lines—only this, sir——

Lincoln