human
He demands a thousand dollars to-night, Lizzie?
gpt
Swears he'll take the whole account to the President to-morrow unless he gets it, Madam.
human
You tried to make him reasonable?
gpt
Begged him for an hour.
human
That's what I get for trading with a little rat in Philadelphia. I'll stick to Stewart hereafter.
gpt
Well, there's no help for it then. I must ask him. I dread it. Mr. Lincoln calls me a child--a spoiled child. He's the child. He has no idea of what these things cost. Why can't a Nation that spends two millions a day on contractors and soldiers give its President a salary he can live on?
human
He'll give it to you, of course, when you ask it,
gpt
If I'm diplomatic, yes. But I hate to do it. He's harassed enough. I wonder sometimes if he's human to stand all he does. If he knew the truth--O my God----
human
Don't worry, Madam, Lizzie pleaded.
gpt
It will come out all right. The President is sure to be re-elected.
human
That's it, is he? I'm beginning to lose faith. He'll never win if the scoundrels in Washington can prevent it. There's just one man in Congress his real friend. I can't make him see that the hypocrites he keeps in his Cabinet are waiting and watching to stab him in the back. But what's the use to talk, I've got to face it to-day--ask Phoebe to come here.
gpt
Let me go, Madam, Lizzie begged.
human
I hate the sight of that woman. I suspect her of nosing into our affairs.
gpt
Nonsense! was the contemptuous answer.
human
Phoebe's just a big, fat, black, good-natured fool. It rests me to look at her--she's so much fatter than I am.