Did Lincoln not want to attend the theater that night?

[Donna McCreary]

In a letter to Francis Bicknell Carpenter (Nov. 15, 1865), Mary wrote: "In the evening, his mind, was fixed upon having some relaxation & bent on the theater."
Perhaps someone remembered it was Mary who wished to go simply because the couple was running late, and Mary may have been the one who was trying to get AL out the door. Afterall, if Lincoln wanted to go and had made plans to go, it would be logical that his wife had to remind him to leave.
When the Lincolns returned from a carriage ride (between six and seven p.m.), they found Illinois Governor Richard J. Oglesby and other friends from their home state waiting for them at the White House. Lincoln relaxed while he spoke with his friends and read some of the writings of Thomas Nast. After a brief visit and a quick supper, the President and Mary were ready to see the play and enjoy the remainder of the evening.