—William Shakespeare, Macbeth, Act 1, Scene 7 Lucy had already accepted John Hay’s invitation to join him and Robert Lincoln at the White House to study Spanish that evening, so she was relieved when, after the subject came up at supper, John did not ask if she intended to accompany her mother and Mrs. Temple to the theatre. She had not told John that ever since her father had been confirmed as Minister to Spain, she and John Hay had met occasionally to study, or that Robert joined them whenever he was in the city. Lucy would prefer to tell John the truth, but she knew it would only provoke his jealousy. John Hay called for her at half past eight o’clock, and they conversed in Spanish as they walked down Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House, she haltingly and laughing at her mistakes, John Hay fluently but generous with encouragement and praise she did not entirely merit. Robert Lincoln welcomed them in the Red Room, where books and notes, as well as tea and cakes, were arranged on a lovely antique table his mother had purchased during her infamous refurbishments.
