(with one of his rare smiles).
Without any friends--! Why, Nancy!

[Glances towards his books for a third time.

POLLY
(with a sniff).
He means that he'd rather have Defoe and Bunyan and Aesop than us.

LINCOLN.
Now, Polly.

POLLY
(with conviction).
You would. You know you would.

JASON.
Then you're not coming?

LINCOLN.
No, boys, I'm not coming. I tell you, it's like splitting rails. Once
you get tired or give up, your work gets the better of you. I mean to
stick to what I've set out to do.

TOM
(regretfully).
Well, then, good-night, Abe.

LINCOLN
(with the utmost friendliness).