"We must let him eat something, Miss Winter," he whispered. "All night the muffled sound of his footfall came from his room. I heard it at nine, at ten, at eleven. At midnight Stanton left his door ajar and his steady tramp, tramp, tramp, came with heavier sound. The last thing I heard as I left at three was the muffled beat upstairs. The guard told me it never stopped for a moment all night."
Betty was surprised to see his face illumined by a cheerful smile as she entered. She gazed with awe into the deep eyes of the man whose single word could stop the war and divide the Union. She wondered if he had fought the Nation's battle alone with God through the night until his prophetic vision had seen through cloud and darkness the dawn of a new and more wonderful life.
She spoke softly:
"I've brought you a good mother who lost a son at Fredericksburg. She has a message for you."
The tall form bent reverently and pressed her hand. A wonderful smile transfigured his rugged face as he listened:
"God help you in your trials, Mr. President, as he has helped me in mine——"
"And you lost your son at Fredericksburg?"
"Yes. It was long before I could feel reconciled. But I've been praying for you day and night since——"
"For me?"
"You must be strong and courageous, and God will bring the Nation through!"