"What do you think, Mamma?" he asked. "I have a chance to read the
Declaration of Independence."
Sarah smiled into his eager eyes. "Now isn't that nice?"
He showed her the book. It belonged to David Turnham, the constable. Mr.
Turnham had said that Abe might borrow it for several days, if he
promised to be careful.
"What is it about?" Sarah asked.
"It has the laws of Indiana in it, and it tells how the government of
our country was started." Abe's voice took on a new tone of excitement.
"It has the Declaration of Independence in it and the Constitution,
too."
He pulled a stool up to the fire and began to read. There was no sound
in the little cabin except the steady click-click of Sarah's knitting
needles. She glanced at him now and then. This tall, awkward boy had
become very dear to her. As dear as her own children, perhaps even
dearer, but he was harder to understand. No matter how much he learned,
he wanted to learn more. He was always hungry, hungry for knowledge--not
hungry for bacon and cornbread the way Johnny was. The idea made her
chuckle.
Abe did not hear.
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