preparations for going away for the summer were hurried on, and there seemed more visitors than usual. i was pleased at the idea of going to the island of arran, which had many attractions for visitors, i longed to see the place, having heard so much about its hills and mountains. miss heslip, a young friend of miss mouncey's, was with them for the summer. from that day things were pleasing and mirthful. one evening, while i was passing the cake-basket in the drawing-room, i held the cake to a tall and dark gentleman. in place of taking some cake he took hold of my hand and shook it warmly. i was not used to shaking hands with people in the drawing-room. i felt so confused that i nearly let the basket and cake fall. i could see that the act was noticed by the smiles on the faces. i knew that garibaldi was in the room, for i had seen him there before, but who could this be?[pg 35] when miss mouncey came out i asked her, and she told me i had shaken hands with a great man. he was the president of america, abraham lincoln. she told me then that there was going to be a civil war. i did not know what that was.