He had borrowed Byron's works to read the opening lines of 'Lara': "He, their unhoped, but unforgotten lord, The long self-exiled chieftain, is restored.
There be bright faces in the busy hall, Bowls on the board, and banners on the wall; * * * * * "He comes at last in sudden loneliness, And whence they know not, why they need not guess; They more might marvel, when the greeting's o'er, Not that he came, but came not long before." During this period Lincoln continued to enjoy the hospitality of Mr.
Speed at Springfield.

"After he made his home with me," says Mr.Speed, "on every winter's night at my store, by a big wood fire, no matter how inclement the weather, eight or ten choice spirits assembled, without distinction of party.

It was a sort of social club without organization.
They came there because they were sure to find Lincoln.

His habit was to engage in conversation upon any and all subjects except politics.

But one evening a political argument sprang up between Lincoln and Douglas, which for a time ran high.