They afforded many jokes to the army. One anecdote went the round. A Bantam died⁠—of disease (“and he would,” said General Haldane)⁠—and a comrade came to see his corpse.

“Shut ze door ven you come out,” said the old woman of his billet. “ Fermez la porte, mon vieux. ”

The living Bantam went to see the dead one, and came downstairs much moved by grief.

“I’ve seed poor Bill,” he said.

“ As-tu fermé la porte? ” said the old woman, anxiously.

The Bantam wondered at the anxious inquiry; asked the reason of it.