They considered the Pioneers exhibited signs of
swollen head, and nicknamed their society the 'Tadpole Club,' declaring
its members to be still in that elementary stage of their development.
They made very merry at their expense, and poked fun at Merle for having
evolved the idea.
"Have you arranged for the Queen to come down and inspect them?" asked
Nesta sarcastically. "No one but royalty is good enough! By the time
they've worked their way up into the Sixth the school will be so reformed
it'll be a pattern for all England. I think we seniors had better retire
gracefully now and have done with it. We don't seem of much account
according to their notions. One of them actually had the impudence to
criticise my bowling yesterday!"
"Yes; and the little beggar was right too!" put in Iva. "You'll have to
buck up over cricket, old sport! It never was your strong point, you
know!"
"Well, I'm not going to be corrected by a kid of eleven at any rate!"
fumed Nesta.
Though the seniors might be scornful, indignant, or otherwise hostile
towards the Tadpole Club, it certainly had the effect of increasing their
own efforts and making them keep up their standards.
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