"Thanks for the spirit that prompts your rage. I know you're right about most of these things. I'll do my best to help and not hinder you——"
"There's a woman coming here this morning to present a petition over my head."
"Oh, I see——"
"I have refused it and I demand that you support, not make a fool of me."
He turned without waiting for an answer and strode from the room.
The President whispered to Nicolay:
"We may have to put a few bricks in Stanton's pocket yet, John!"
He glanced toward the waiting crowd and whispered again:
"Any news to-day from the front before I go on?"
Nicolay drew a telegram from his file: