Grant and Lincoln's invitation

[L Verge]

I truly have no clear thoughts or opinions on this subject. I can actually see all of the reasons given as pertinent -- desire to see children asap (on both of the Grants' parts); desire not to be stuck in the theater for hours (just to show off) during a performance of a rather worn-out comedy; fear of being embarrassed or insulted by your hostess, etc.

You will now likely confirm your suspicions that I'm weird, but I believe in premonitions. Twice, I have had a wave of "something" hit me to let me know that someone close to me had died - first, my father, and then a close friend. And, as many of you know, I have very bad knees and have been avoiding operations on them for several years. This avoidance is due to a premonition I had in a dream that I went under anesthesia and didn't wake up. I have been under general anesthesia many times in the past, but this premonition has me spooked! I remember waking up from the dream anxious about who would help my daughter raise my grandson.

Back to Mrs. Grant: I'm sure she had worried for four years about the fate of her husband and that was still on her mind. Having a scruffy messenger show up at my door and having a group of men staring me down during a meal at a public dining room would not help my situation. And finally having a strange man ride so close to the carriage I was in would certainly spook me.