human
Why, did we do so rotten?
gpt
Had we ought to have piled up a bigger score?
human
We did make a few fumbles--at least I did, and once I didn't take care of my man, admitted Jim Watkins.
gpt
But----
human
No, I haven't a bit of fault to find, went on Mr. Martin.
gpt
I was just wondering whether you felt more confident of your playing ability than you did before we came. I want to get a sort of line on my ability.
human
Yes, put in Mr. Spencer,
gpt
I wish we could beat Blue Hill to a standstill,
human
And then wallop Mooretown,
gpt
Say, can't we challenge Blue Hill now?
human
Yes, let's do it!
gpt
Better wait, advised Mr. Martin with a laugh and a quick look at his colleague.
human
If you sent Blue Hill another challenge so soon, they'd only laugh at you, and very likely they would say you arranged the whole coaching plan merely to beat them. If you will permit us to suggest something, we have another scheme.
gpt
What is it?
human
We will play some other strong team before we again ask Blue Hill to let us have a chance at them, suggested Mr. Martin.
gpt
Then, if we win, as I hope we shall, we will be more in their class. Beating Dunkirk hardly put us there, even though we made a bigger score against them than Blue Hill did. And then, after you get your second wind, so to speak, we will consider getting into the Military League. Do you agree to that plan?
human
Sure!
gpt
Then we'll go ahead on that understanding, proceeded the coach.
human
And now for the second part of the plan. You know it is of little benefit to play some team weaker than you are. What you want to do is to take on some eleven that you know is going to be hard to beat. That will bring out whatever good points we have not yet discovered. Is that clear?
gpt
Am I making myself clear?
human
Yes. Sure. Go ahead,
gpt
Then the plan of Mr. Spencer and myself is this, went on Mr. Martin.
human
We will put you through some hard practice in the next week, and then we will challenge Haskell University.