“In my ignorance,” Griswold continued, “I recall but one allusion to the wink in immortal song. If my memory serves me, it is no less a soul than Browning who sings:
‘All heaven, meanwhile, condensed into one eye
Which fears to lose the wonder, should it wink.’
You seem worried, Ardy. Does the wink press so heavily, or what’s the matter?”
“The fact is, I’m in trouble. My sister says I’ve got to marry.”
“Which sister?”
“Mrs. Atchison. You know Nellie? She’s a nice girl and she’s a good sister to me, but she’s running me too hard on this marrying business. She’s going to bring a bunch of girls down to Ardsley in a few days, and she says she’ll stay until I make a choice.”
Griswold whistled.
“Then, as we say in literary circles, you’re up against it. No wonder you’re beginning to take notice of the frolicsome boarding-school girl who winks at the world. I believe I’d rather take chances myself with that amiable sort than marry into your Newport transatlantic set.”
“Well, one thing’s certain, Grissy. You’ve got to come to Ardsley and help me out while those people are there. Nellie likes you; she thinks you’re terribly intellectual and all that, and if you’ll throw in a word now and then, why——”