This occasioned a laugh, and Mrs. Gordon began at once to sum up the
total.
"It's to buy you anything you want--a comfort and luxury fund,"
explained Alice, "and all the members of the family join together in
giving it."
"Grandfather, we hardly knew what to call your pie. It was not a chicken
pie, even though it did contain a bird and a turkey. It was not a lemon
pie, even if there was a lemon in it. It could not be called an apple,
peach, cherry or mince pie, though there _was_ plenty of fruit in that
box, wasn't there?" said Alsie, with a laugh, when everything had been
examined.
"I think I shall call it my 'Love Pie,' for never was a pie so highly
seasoned or delightfully flavored with love as this has been," answered
grandfather softly, "and I want the dear little girl who thought of it
to know that I have enjoyed it more than any pie that I have ever eaten."
The invalid was a little wearied with the unusual excitement of the
morning, and was soon ordered back to his bed for a little rest.
In the afternoon Alice went into the sick-room for a chat, while her
mother went out for a little walk in the fresh, crisp air.
She told her father of how the silken comfort had been planned and made,
and Captain Gordon, after a long pause, turned to her with what seemed
to Alice the most beautiful expression she had ever seen on his face,
and said, "Bring it to me, daughter."
She brought it forth and held it out to him that he might smooth its
folds and look again at its rosy color.
"Spread it over me, dear, and let it cover me--as long as I need it."
* * * * *
And it covered him for the six weeks that it was needed, when it was
replaced with a coverlet of roses and lilies provided by the same loving
hands.