about
four in the afternoon
Everett listened thoughtfully and when the chief had done , `` Mr. President , '' he said simply , `` I should be glad if I could flatter myself that I came as near the central idea of the occasion in two hours as you did in two minutes . '' But Lincoln shook his head and laughed and turned to speak to a newcomer with no change of opinion -- he was apt to trust his own judgments . The special train which left Gettysburg immediately after the solemnities on the battle-field cemetery brought the President 's party into Washington during the night . There was no rest for the man at the wheel of the nation next day , but rather added work until , at about four in the afternoon , he felt sorely the need of air and went out from the White House alone , for a walk . His mind still ran on the events of the day before -- the impressive , quiet multitude , the serene sky of November arched , in the hushed interregnum of the year , between the joy of summer and the war of winter , over those who had gone from earthly war to heavenly joy . The picture was deeply engraved in his memory ; it haunted him . And with it came a soreness , a discomfort of mind which had haunted him as well in the hours between -- the chagrin of the failure of his speech .