And what made you think yourself fit to be in a regiment of Regulars?
Do you know your left foot from your right?
You know as much about the manual of arms as I do about Hebrew verbs.

When you salute an officer you're a standing disgrace to the service! Do you know what you ought to be doing in life ?" His face growing violently red, Barrow soon forgot to be indignant in the excess of his wonder.
"Meaning---what ?" he demanded, thickly, his lower jaw sagging in bewilderment.
"How do you like the way I'm talking to you ?" asked Sergeant Kelly, his own strong jaw thrust out as though he were seeking to provoke a quarrel.
"Why do you ask ?" demanded the corporal, with some show of spirit.
"Does any man enjoy being spoken to like a thieving dog ?" Instantly Kelly dropped back into a placid tone.
"How do you think the men of that squad like hearing you talk to them as I've just talked to you ?" "But they're such numbskulls!" declared Barrow.
"You won't improve their intelligence by turning the hot water on them all the time," Sergeant Kelly continued.

"Could I make a better corporal of you by scorching you every time I saw you ?" "You know you couldn't." "No more can you turn those rookies into soldiers by raging at them every time you speak.

Take it from me, Corporal Barrow, the wise drill-master doesn't use any rough talk once a week, and not even then unless nothing else will answer.

Talk to the men right along as I heard you doing, and they won't have a particle of respect for you.