“I am fulfilling the Commandments.”
“Certainly. How could one help loving the sweet, motherly face you saw yesterday.”
The President laughed heartily. “I see—of course, of course!”
“The Honourable Austin Stoneman,” suddenly announced a clerk at his elbow.
Elsie started in surprise and whispered:
“Do not let my father know I am here. I will wait in the next room. You’ll let nothing delay the pardon, will you, Mr. President?”
Mr. Lincoln warmly pressed her hand as she disappeared through the door leading into Major Hay’s room, and turned to meet the Great Commoner who hobbled slowly in, leaning on his crooked cane.
At this moment he was a startling and portentous figure in the drama of the Nation, the most powerful parliamentary leader in American history, not excepting Henry Clay.
No stranger ever passed this man without a second look. His clean-shaven face, the massive chiselled features, his grim eagle look, and cold, colourless eyes, with the frosts of his native Vermont sparkling in their depths, compelled attention.