A British soldier was walking down the Strand one day. He had one leg
off and an arm off and both ears missing and his head was covered with
bandages, and he was making his way on low gear as best he could, when
he was accosted by an intensely sympathetic lady who said:
"Oh, dear, dear! I cannot tell you how sorry I am for you. This is
really terrible. Can't I do something? Do tell me, did you receive all
these wounds in real action?"
A weary expression came over that part of the soldier's face that was
visible as he replied:
"No, madam; I was cleaning out the canary bird cage, and the d----d bird
bit me!"