confessed to the same inabilityto

Bob should have done so, but he had not the necessary amount ofphilosophy. He still clung to the idea that he and Burgess, incouncil, might find some way of making things right for everybody. 　　Though, at the moment, he did not see how eleven caps were to bedivided amongst twelve candidates in such a way that each should haveone. 　　And Burgess, consulted on the point, confessed to the same inabilityto solve the problem. It took Bob at least a quarter of an hour to getthe facts of the case into the captain's head, but at last Burgessgrasped the idea of the thing. At which period he remarked that it wasa rum business. 　　"Very rum," Bob agreed. "Still, what you say doesn't help us out much,seeing that the point is, what's to be done?""Why do anything?"Burgess was a philosopher, and took the line of least resistance, likethe man in the oak-tree. 　　"But I must do something," said Bob. "Can't you see how rotten it isfor me?""I don't see why. It's not your fault. Very sporting of your brotherand all that, of course, though I'm blowed if I'd have done it myself;but why should you do anything? You're all right. Your brother stoodout of the team to let you in it, and here you _are_, in it. 　　What's he got to grumble about?""He's not grumbling. It's me.""What's the matter with you? Don't you want your first?""Not like this. Can't you see what a rotten position it is for me?""Don't you worry. You simply keep on saying you're all right. Besides,what do you want me to do? Alter the list?"But for the thought of those unspeakable outsiders, Lionel Tremayneand his headmaster, Bob might have answered this question in theaffirmative; but he had the public-school boy's terror of seeming topose or do anything theatrical. He would have done a good deal to putmatters right, but he could _not_ do the self-sacrificing younghero business. It would not be in the picture. These things, if theyare to be done at school, have to be carried through stealthily, afterMike's fashion. 　　"I suppose you can't very well, now it's up. Tell you what, though, Idon't see why I shouldn't stand out of the team for the Ripton match. 　　I could easily fake up some excuse.""I do. I don't know if it's occurred to you, but the idea is rather towin the Ripton match, if possible. So that I'm a lot keen on puttingthe best team into the field. Sorry if it upsets your arrangements inany way.""You know perfectly well Mike's every bit as good as me.""He isn't so keen.""What do you mean?""Fielding. He's a young slacker."When Burgess had once labelled a man as that, he did not readily letthe idea out of his mind.