If he chose to take his stand on his general proficiency, he would pass for a fairly clever fellow.

But that will by no means satisfy him.

He will never admit himself beaten.

There is always some trivial accident, some unforeseen coincidence, without which his success would have been certain and recognised; but which, as it happens, slightly interfere with his triumph.
It is the same in games as in the class-room.

If he is beaten in a race, it is because he has slipped in starting; if he is clean bowled first ball at cricket, it is because there was a lump in the grass just where the ball pitched; if he lets the enemy's halfback pass him at football, it is because he made sure Perkins had collared him-- otherwise, of course, he would have won the race, made top score at the wickets, and saved his goal.