Mrs. Lincoln: How strange it is that I just can't teach John not to stand and call out that way. I've tried ever since he was a baby to make him go to anyone that he wants.
Sarah: I suppose he thinks it doesn't matter as long as he's just calling Abe.
Mrs. Lincoln: But it does matter, because it's a bad habit, and a bad habit is mighty easy to get and mighty hard to lose. I don't have a bit of trouble teaching all those things to Abe. Dear me, he's such a good, obedient boy; I don't believe he'll live to grow up (sighs).
Sarah: O, yes he will, mother; he's too full of mischief to die; besides, he's the strongest boy for his age that there is anywhere around here. He picked Matilda and me both up yesterday and carried us clear to the woods. We kicked and screamed (laughs) and squirmed, but oh my! we're just like a pair of dolls to him. He set us down at the edge of the woods, then started on a run. We started too, but he was in the barn and clear at the top of the corn-stalks stacked in the mow before we were half way to the house (laughs). Don't worry about his dying, mother.
Voice (again): Abe, Abe, O, Abe.
Mrs. Lincoln: What shall I do with that boy?
Sarah: Don't do anything. Just let him keep right on howling until he gets tired of it.
Mrs. Lincoln: But I'm tired of hearing him.
Sarah: Shall I go and make him keep still? (Laughs and gesticulates.)
John (enters at right): Where's Abe, mother? I've been calling and calling him. (Sits in chair at right-front.)