A Secret of the Interior
Lincoln, the junior, “Tad,” had the run of the Executive Mansion, and, like all spoiled children, abused the license. He burst into the heart of a company listening to his father’s talk with the exclamation:
“Ma says, come to supper!”
It was impossible for the most diplomatic to pretend that he had not heard, and all looked from the intruder to the host. Never at a loss, Mr. Lincoln rose from the sofa, and blandly said as to “married folks together”:
“You have heard, gentlemen, the announcement concerning the seductive state of things in the dining-room. I had intended to train up this young man in his father’s footsteps, but, if I am elected, I must forego any intention of making him a member of my Cabinet, as he manifestly cannot be trusted with secrets of the interior!”