CHAPTER IV
A PAIR OF YOUNG EYES
When Betty's card was sent in at the White House next morning, a smile
lighted the sombre face of the President. He waved his long arms
impulsively to his Secretaries and the waiting crowd of Congressmen:
"Clear everybody out for a few minutes, boys; I've an appointment at
this hour."
The tall figure bowed with courtly deference over the little hand and
his voice was touched with deep feeling:
"I want to thank you personally, Miss Betty, for your kind words about
my Inaugural. They helped and cheered me in a trying moment."
"I'm glad," was the smiling answer.
"Tell me everything you said about it?" he urged laughingly.
"I'm afraid Mrs. Lincoln might not like it!" she said demurely.
"We'll risk it. I'm going to take you in to see her in a minute. I want
her to know you. Tell me, what else did you say?"
He spoke with the eager wistfulness of a boy. It was only too plain that
few messages of good cheer had come to lighten the burden his
responsibilities had brought.
A smile touched her eyes with tender sympathy:
"You won't be vain if I tell you exactly what I said, Mr. President?"
"After all the brickbats that have been coming my way?" he laughed. No
man could laugh with more genuine hearty enjoyment. His laughter
convulsed his whole being for the moment and fairly hypnotized his
hearer into sympathy with his mood.
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