“You look as if you were under a mountain of trouble.”
“Do I?” And he made an attempt to laugh; but it was not entirely successful.
“I’m only a little worried just now; but it will pass off,” he added. “I get into these states sometimes—periodically, I might say.”
“Ah, I understand. Imaginary troubles.”
“Oh no,” he quickly replied. “Not just that. There is something like real flesh and blood about the matter. The fact is, to come out plain, Mrs. Lincoln, in her over-kindness, has presented me with another baby.”
“And you are so unreasonable as to grumble about it! You don’t deserve to have blessings.”
“There is such a thing as being blessed to death, you know,” said Mr. Lincoln, smiling; but the smile was still, as they say, on the wrong side of his mouth. “Five babies were enough, in all conscience, without adding a sixth. It was as much as I could do to get bread for what I had.”
“He who sends the mouths will send the bread. Never fear for that.”
“I know. This general trust in Providence is all well enough. But it takes more mental stamina than I possess to bring it down into particular applications. My faith isn’t overly strong. If I were worth a hundred thousand dollars, the babies might come as fast as they liked. I wouldn’t call a baker’s dozen too many. No. I like babies; bless their hearts! but I like them properly cared for. If I live, I suppose all will be well enough. But life is held by the most uncertain tenure. Upon my daily exertions depend the sustenance of my family. If I were to die my wife and children would be in a sad way.”
“Get your life insured,” said I promptly.