Mr. Lincoln: Sums! I vum! Sums! What did he make them with?
Mrs. Lincoln: A piece of burnt wood.
Mr. Lincoln: I vum! Sums! Where did he learn to do sums?
Mrs. Lincoln: O, he picked it up.
Mr. Lincoln: I bet you taught him! didn't you, Sallie? Come now, own up.
Mrs. Lincoln: Well, I helped him a little, but he's far ahead of me now; he's ciphered clear through that old ragged arithmetic that's been kicking around the house.
Mr. Lincoln (turning shovel over): But both sides are covered. What's he going to do now?
Mrs. Lincoln: O, he'll take the shaving knife and whittle it all off, then he'll have a "new slate," as he says.
Mr. Lincoln (holding up shovel): A new slate! Sums! Well, I vum!
(Whistle heard behind scenes.)