"I think a heap of you," she went on, "and I don't want to see
you disappointed. It's a fine thing to be ambitious. But don't let
reading about George Washington give you notions that can't come to
anything."
Abe threw back his shoulders. "I aim to study and get ready and then the
chance will come."
He lifted his battered straw hat, and started down the path toward the
field. He walked with dignity. Elizabeth had not realized that he was so
tall.
"I declare," she said, "he really means it!"
Sammy had come up and heard her. "Means what. Mamma?" he asked.
Elizabeth took his hand. "Didn't you know, Sammy? Abe is fixing to be
President some day."
9
[Illustration]
On Sunday morning the Lincolns went to church. All except Sarah. She had
a headache.
"I'll go, Ma," said Abe. "When I come back, I'll tell you what the
preacher said."
Sarah smiled at him fondly. Abe could listen to a sermon, then come home
and repeat it almost word for word. "I'd rather hear you preachify," she
said, "than the preacher himself."
Tom and his family walked single file into the log meeting house and
took their places on one of the long wooden benches.
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