i love you , '' he gives a smoky grin . `` thank you for giving me away , '' i said , a little embarrassed . flora took her hand off his foot and played with her braid . then one of his hands lifted from the mattress . i could tell by the stiff way he was holding his shoulders . `` i could n't have asked for a nicer gift . '' her grandfather asked , keeping his arm around her shoulders as he led her from the house . 