§ 21 The Ways of the Army
The officer of the day was inspecting the guard.
“What are your orders?” he inquired of a drafted man.
“Sir,” said the sentry, in his newly-acquired military manner “my orders are to be vigilant.”
“What does vigilant mean?” said the officer.
“I don’t know,” said the sentry.
“Call the corporal of the guard and we’ll find out,” said the officer.
The corporal of the guard came.
“Corporal,” said the officer, “this man here doesn’t know the meaning of the word vigilant. Suppose you tell him.”
“It means, sir, to be alert,” answered the corporal promptly.
“And what does alert mean?” said the commander, anxious that the lesson should be driven home to the pupil.
“I don’t know,” said the corporal.