"Hello, Lincoln, can I help you?"
Lincoln can't hide his excitement.
"Hi, Missis B, can Peter come out? I have a new Red Lantern comic to show him, I know he's dying to..."
"Lincoln..."
The boy looks at Elizabeth's face. He knows something is wrong.
"What is it, Missis B?"
The woman gulps.
"Peter can't come play with you right now. He's sick."
Lincoln frowns.
"What? Why? I mean, how? I hope it's not smallpox or something, 'cause dad will kill me if I have it."
Elizabeth shakes her head.
"No, it's not smallpox."
Lincoln doesn't know what to say, so he just takes a silver coin out of his pocket.
"Can you give it to him? Please? He'll understand."
He tries to give it to Elizabeth, but the woman shakes her head again and smiles softly.
"Keep it. I know it's important for you."
"But..."
"I'm sure you'll have a chance to see Peter soon."
Lincoln flips the coin and sighs.
"Yeah... I hope so, too."