A Man of the People - novelonlinefull.com
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SET SCENE: _The same as Act I at a quarter to eight the same evening_.
AT RISE: EDWARD, _the old Doorman, is straightening the furniture in the room. He clumsily clears the floor of a litter of letters and places them in the corner with the unopened bag. He draws the heavy draperies of the windows and adjusts them so that no ray of light can reach the outside._ MRS. LINCOLN _enters and watches him fix the draperies._
MRS. LINCOLN
[_Speaking suddenly._]
Edward----!
EDWARD
[_Jumping in fright._]
Yes, Madam!
MRS. LINCOLN
What on earth are you doing in here----?
EDWARD
[_In terror of_ MRS. LINCOLN.]
Just--er drawin'--er the curtains, Madam.
MRS. LINCOLN
[_Sternly._]
These curtains haven't been drawn in a year----
EDWARD
[_Stammering._]
I-don't-think-they-have-either----
MRS. LINCOLN
You know they haven't!
EDWARD
[_Gulping wind._]
Yes'm----
MRS. LINCOLN
Who told you to draw them?
EDWARD
Colonel Nicolay!
MRS. LINCOLN
Where is he?
EDWARD
Down-stairs, on the door.
MRS. LINCOLN
In your place?
EDWARD
Yes'm----
MRS. LINCOLN
While you're up here acting as house maid?
EDWARD
[_Embarra.s.sed._]
Well, so it seems, Madam----
MRS. LINCOLN
[_Sternly._]
What does this mean?
EDWARD
I do not know, Madam----
MRS. LINCOLN
[_Sarcastically._]
And you haven't the slightest idea--I suppose?
