...and our hero felt himself being stalked in the corn field.

Well, shucks. He didn't have a kernel of sense, of course.

What! No Kernel of sense? Why even a Private's got enough sense to get out of the rain. Why didn't he go and find an empty kennel? Doggoneit!

sense to get out of the rain

Mebbe the Wiz din't give him no brain.

He was looking for corn shucks because all the bumf was used up.

Bravely our hero shouted, "Lend me your ears!"

He didn't want the ears. He wanted the cobs. They cleanse roughly but thoroughly.

but after the long stormy and stygian night, all the starch was taken out of him. 'struth!

'Pone my soul, he'd be butter off in his own crib.

Bill, where do you find those cobs? got any ta ssel?

Nope. Now I'm selling geese so their necks can be slid down backwards.

I'm amaized that this has gone on so long. I think the goose is cooked.

Dear WW: I'll bet you didn't know that "husk" is a veterinary diagnosis in UK, as I remember
from one of James Herriot's stories. I'll go try to find URL.
I didn't give URL because the quote below seems sufficient.
Lungworm (Husk)

Parasitic disease causing pneumonia in a wide age range of cattle.
Infection is acquired by ingesting worm larvae on pasture, which
have been passed in the faeces of infected animals. Healthy
animals may carry infection.

An effective vaccine is available.