Matilda: I should say she does! Why, the rest of us young ones have to go around on our tip-toes and talk in whispers when Abe gets his nose in a book.
Mr. Lincoln: Isn't that a little hard on the others, Sallie?
Matilda (_quickly_): Oh, my! _we_ don't mind. We _like_ to have Abe read, and we think he's mighty good to tell the rest of us all about what he reads.
Sarah: That he does. You just ought to hear him, pa, tell the story of Pilgrim's Progress.
Matilda: O, pa wouldn't like that as well as he would Æsop's Fables; just get him to tell you some of _those_ stories some time.
John: And all about Robinson Crusoe, too, pa, and the queer times he had. You'd like _that_, I know.
Mr. Lincoln: Well, it may be all right, but I don't like to see a big, strapping boy like Abe spending his time over books, to say nothing of the hours he wastes running around borrowing them. Why, I'll bet he has read every book in this county.
Mrs. Lincoln: So he has! He was wishing just the other day that he knew of some more books that he could borrow: he said he had "read every book that he had heard of within a circuit of fifty miles."
Matilda: And, pa, if you could only hear him when he climbs on the table and makes speeches. I just tell you, Abe is heaps of fun.
Mr. Lincoln: I dare say he is, but that doesn't get the work done. It's all right for sickly fellows to be spending their time getting learning, but a big, strong fellow like Abe will always be able to earn his living by hard work.
Mrs. Lincoln: Of course he'll be _able_ to, but you'll find out he'll not do it. I tell you there are other plans laid away in that big head of his.
Mr. Lincoln: Well, well, he'll have you to thank if he ever does amount to anything, that's sure. (_Shivers._) But it's cold in here, what on earth is the matter with your fire?
John (_aside_): Time for me to run. (_Exit at right, hurriedly._)
Mr. Lincoln (_turning toward cupboard_): It's funny you young ones can't look after the fire when ma's busy.
John, you go bring in some wood! (_Looks around._) O, he's gone after it, I guess--about time. (_Disappears behind cupboard._)
Mrs. Lincoln (_to girls_): Don't tell pa that John was waiting for Abe to help him. If you do they'll both get a scolding, maybe.