"Have you tried yet ?" "I could never do what Wyndham did.

He was such a splendid captain." "Why ?" asked the doctor.
"I suppose because he was a splendid athlete, and threw himself into all their pursuits, and--and set a good example himself." "I think you are partly right and partly wrong," said the doctor.
"There are several fine athletes in Willoughby who would make poor captains; and as for throwing oneself into school pursuits and setting a good example, I don't think either is beyond your reach." Riddell felt very uncomfortable.

He began to feel that after all he might be shirking a duty he ought to undertake.

But he made one more effort.
"There are so many others would do it better, sir, whom the boys look up to already," he said.

"Bloomfield, for instance, or--" The doctor held up his hand.
"We will not go into that, Riddell," he said.