Page:Behind the scenes, or, Thirty years a slave and four years in the White House.djvu/95

Rh called on me every day, and was exceedingly kind. When she came to take her dress away, she cautiously remarked:

"Mrs. Keckley, you know Mrs. Lincoln?" "Yes." "You are her modiste; are you not?" "Yes." "You know her very well; do you not?" "I am with her every day or two." "Don't you think you would have some influence with her?" "I cannot say. Mrs. Lincoln, I presume, would listen to anything I should suggest, but whether she would be influenced by a suggestion of mine is another question." "I am sure that you could influence her, Mrs. Keckley. Now listen; I have a proposition to make. I have a great desire to become an inmate of the "White House. I have heard so much of Mr. Lincoln's goodness that I should like to be near him; and if I can enter the