Mmature. Times October Crossword. (Two Clues Same Answer)

[zoomer]

Cryptic clue:
8A Take out brown marks, small and ineffectual. (8) *E*K*E*S

'Normal' clue:
8A Weak and irresponsible. (8)

Feckless seems to be the correct answer (FRECKLES minus the 'R' + S(mall)) However, I can't understand why the R should be removed. The words "Take out" in the cryptic clue seems to have no link to the letter "R".
Thanks in advance for any explanation.

[mac44]

brtown marks are freckles, remove r, s for small on the end.

[aelmpvw]

where is the indicator for taking out the r?

[zoomer]

Thanks mac44 it's the removal of the R which I can't understand. Perhaps I'm reading too much into it.

[zoomer]

Thanks aelmpvw. That's the bit I can't understand.

[zoomer]

Thanks to both of you for your help. I'll opt for FECKLESS. I still find it an odd clue though.
Signing off now.

[Neveracrossword]

R = take, in Chambers - so 'Take out' could indicate removing the R in 'freckles', brown marks?

[zoomer]

Great. Thanks for the clarification neveracrossword.

[Neveracrossword]

Glad I could help, Zoomer. I've seen Take = R before, but I checked Chambers anyway!

[zoomer]

I think I'll buy myself a Chambers!

[aelmpvw]

rook = take and r is the abbreviation for the chess piece rook or am i on the wrong tack?

[Neveracrossword]

Ael, R is also an abbreviation for Rook, of course, but that's not needed here, I think. 'R. abbrev. recipe, Italicised in Chambers, as it's Latin, take.'

[aelmpvw]

thanks, i had a feeling i was complicating the matter :-)

[Neveracrossword]

Thanks, ael… I'm no stranger to over-complicating things!