“It is to have a grip just like that,” said Tommy, seizing Frank by the hand, “one that takes the conceit all out of you, and makes you remember who are your friends for ever.”
“Then I do not think I shall care to join,” said Frank, rubbing his crushed hand on his knee. “I shall probably remember you as long as I shall care to, without making any such arrangement.”
“I think a school society is a good thing,” said Ernest Wynn, mildly. “It promotes lasting friendships”—
“Good for you!” said Tommy. “That’s just what I wanted to say. ‘It promotes lasting friendship,’ and, like a salve, it takes the conceit”—
“It stimulates one to do his best, and”—
“That’s it exactly,” said Tommy. “I hope you all hear.”
“Let’s quit joking,” said George Howe, in a matter-of-fact way. “A society for the purpose of reading and studying about the places we are to visit and for correspondence with each other, when a part of us are abroad, would be an excellent thing. I hope we may have such a society, and shall make our very best boy President of it.”
“Who may that be?” said Frank.
“I,” said Tommy, teasingly. “I thought you knew.”
“I believe it is decided to call the society the Zigzag Travellers,” said George.