A private, lounging without much purpose outside the PX on a dark night, observed the dim form of another soldier approaching.
"Hey, bud," said he, "Got a match?"
"Sure," replied the other. At the flare of the match the private noted the single star of a brigadier general on the other's shoulder.
Immediately coming to attention he said with some despair,
"I beg your pardon, sir."
"At ease," returned the general. "It's all right. "Just be glad I'm not a second lieutenant ..."