“I am a soldier in the United States army,” proudly replied Britomarte.
“Of what grade?”
“I decline to answer.”
“You see ‘soldier’ is rather a comprehensive term. General Grant is a soldier—”
“Oh, you’ve found that out, have you?” said Britomarte, derisively.
—“And every private in his army is a soldier—”
—“Thanks. You are giving us great praise,” laughed Britomarte.
—“I mean, of course, as to name. You are a soldier, and I ask you of what grade?”
“And I decline to answer your question.”
“All right; it is your own affair. Only if you call yourself simply a soldier, you will be treated as a soldier; that is to say, you will be put in the lowest part of the prison, and fed upon the poorest rations. The officers have better accommodations.”