Lunch

The train began to roll again.

“May I come out now?” Tad asked politely. The boy was still sitting on the narrow bed under the upper bunk. He was wrapped in his blanket.

Mrs. Lincoln moved to him and patted him on the head. She said, “Yes, dear. You were brave during all that racket. But the pounding has stopped now.”

Just then Conductor Nottingham came through the train car door. He held a large basket in his arms. The basket was full of apples and pears and loaves of bread.

He nodded at Mrs. Lincoln and said, “Good day.” Then he paused. “I see your trunks are still here. I’ll move them to the baggage car. I just have to deliver lunch first.”

“Very good,” Mrs. Lincoln said.

Baggage car? Beth thought. He might find Sally. I have to warn her.

Conductor Nottingham said to Mrs. Lincoln, “Would you like your lunch here or in the main section?”

“We will dine with Mr. Lincoln,” she said.

Nottingham hurried to Mr. Lincoln’s section of the car.

Mrs. Lincoln went to one of the wood trunks. She took out a hand mirror and looked at herself. She arranged her smooth brown hair and then put the mirror back.

The future First Lady took Tad by the hand. “Beth,” she said, “we will dine with Mr. Lincoln now.”

Patrick was seated near the stove with Willie. They were eating lunch. Patrick had a large, white, cloth napkin on his lap. The napkin had apple slices, cheese, and a chunk of bread on it. Patrick also had a glass of lemonade.

Patrick watched Beth come in with Mrs. Lincoln and Tad.

Wood and the other men in the car stood. Patrick guessed it was to honor the future First Lady. So he wrapped the food up in his napkin. He quickly slurped the lemonade and set the glass on the floor. Then he and Willie stood too.

Mrs. Lincoln moved to an open seat near Mr. Lincoln. She sat down.

Patrick, Willie, and the men sat down again, except for Conductor Nottingham. He prepared more food and lemonade and offered it to Mrs. Lincoln.

Beth and Tad walked over to the seats near the stove.

Tad sat next to Willie. The two brothers started whispering to each other.

Beth sat next to Patrick. She said quietly, “We’ve got a problem.”

“What’s wrong?” Patrick asked.

But Beth didn’t have a chance to answer. Conductor Nottingham was standing right next to her. A basket of food hung on his arm, and he held a glass of lemonade in each hand.

“Would you care for some apples and lemonade?” he asked Beth and Tad.

They each took the offered food and thanked the conductor.

“Apples are my favorite!” Tad said. “Thank you.” He bit into a slice.

The conductor looked at Mr. Lincoln and said, “The engineer received a telegram from the Buffalo depot. Crowds have already filled the train station. Thousands more people are on their way.”

Mr. Lincoln chuckled. “This is a government of the people, by the people, and for the people,” he said. “Let them come.”

“Confound it!” Wood said angrily. “What’s to be done to protect you? You’re determined to put yourself at the mercy of mobs. The train roof could have caved in.”

“Not to worry,” Nottingham said. “The governor of New York has police and soldiers to help in Buffalo. They will escort Mr. Lincoln from the train to the American Hotel.”

Mr. Lincoln’s black bag was on the floor next to him. Nottingham motioned to it with his foot. He said, “The less you have to carry when you leave the train, the better. I’m taking Mrs. Lincoln’s trunks to the baggage car. I’d like to bring this bag also.”

Patrick looked at Beth. Her forehead was scrunched with worry lines. She whispered, “That’s the problem. What about Sally?”

Patrick handed his napkin and glass to Beth. Then he jumped up.

Willie did the same.

“I’ll take the bag,” Patrick said. “It’s my job. That and to keep Willie out of trouble.”

He spoke to Mrs. Lincoln. “I’ll take your trunks, too. I’m sure Conductor Nottingham has more important things to do.” He gave a little bow.

“That’s the spirit,” Wood said. “A young man who likes responsibility.”

Nottingham said, “Thank you, young man. But I don’t think you’re strong enough to carry the trunks.”

Mr. Lincoln reached down and picked up his bag. He opened it and took out a few papers. He tucked them inside his hat. “That’s my inaugural speech,” he said. “I can’t lose it again. But you may take the bag now, thank you.”

Patrick picked up the bag. “I’ll put this back in the baggage car,” he said.

Wood said, “And make sure you keep the baggage car locked. The crowds are getting bolder. Someone may try to get inside that car and steal something.”

“Or worse,” Lincoln said. “Someone might get a free ride to Buffalo!”

Someone like Sally, Patrick thought. “I’ll need the key from Conductor Nottingham, then,” he said.

“I usually don’t do this,” the conductor said. He reached into his jacket pocket. He pulled out a bundle and took one long key off the ring. “It’s against railroad policy to hand these out. But since you’re working for the president-elect . . .”

Willie snatched the key out of the conductor’s hand. “We’ll wait for you to come with the trunks,” Willie said.

“We?” Patrick asked. “You’re coming with me?”

Willie beamed a smile. “Yes,” he said. “I want to learn responsibility.” Willie kissed his mother’s cheek goodbye.

“I’m proud of you,” Lincoln said. He patted Willie on the head.

Then Willie ran to the compartment door. “Come on, Patrick,” he said. “Let’s go!”

Patrick felt as if he had no choice. He carried the bag out the door.