Henry. “Because he was first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen.”
Joshua. “No, Henry. You’re way off. George Washington couldn’t a’ been the first man ’cause my history-book says he married a widow; so there must a’ been another man way ahead of him.”
(Laughter from grown-ups.)
May. “You surely are well informed about Washington. How about Lincoln?”
Geraldine. “We’s just writing compositions on him to hand in next Monday. I’ve got mine here if you’l like to hear it.”
May. “I’d simply love to.”
Betty. “Oh, yes, do read it.”
Geraldine (takes paper out of book and reads). “Abraham Lincoln was born in Kentucky at a very early age. His father moved the family to Ohio, floating down the Mississippi. If he had not been killed by a murderer he might be living to-day. He was an intelligent man and could easily have been President of New York City.”
(The grown-ups try to hide their smiles.)
May. “Perfectly remarkable.”