fire: pulls out a long pipe.

LINCOLN
(after a pause, looking up).
Supper?

NOCTAH,
No. Noctah only want to warm at fire. Like to watch Lincoln. Lincoln
get wisdom out of books.

LINCOLN
(ruefully).
Not so much as I'd like to, Noctah. The books are so few that it's just
learning by littles.
[Footnote: Lincoln's own words.]

NOCTAH.
Other people much talk. Lincoln heap silent: heap thinking. (Taps
forehead.) Other people try to cheat Indian. Lincoln heap honest.

LINCOLN
(twinkling).
Oh, come now, Noctah. I guess we're all pretty honest hereabout.

[A pause, during which Lincoln stares at the fire, above his book.

NOCTAH.
Lincoln look at fire. See visions of future.

LINCOLN.