I was beginning to think she cared for him seriously.
"And pray, John," she asked, "what may a griffin be?
It is not a very pretty name to call a young lady, is it ?" "Why, a griffin," put in Mr.Ghyrkins, "is the 'Mr.Verdant Green' of the Civil Service.

A young civilian--or anybody else--who is just out from home is called a griffin.

John calls you a griffin because you don't understand eating pepper.

You don't find it as _chilly_ as he does! Ha! ha! ha!" and the old fellow laughed heartily, till he was red in the face, at his bleared old pun.

Of course every one was amused or professed to be, for it was a diversion welcomed by the three men of us who had seen the young girl's embarrassment.
"A griffin," said I, "is a thing of joy.