The Well of Loneliness

The house in the Rue Jacob was en fête in honour of Stephen's arrival. Pierre had rigged up an imposing flagstaff, from which waved a brand new tricolour commandeered by Pauline from the neighbouring baker; flowers had been placed in the study vases, while Adèle had contrived to produce the word "welcome" in immortelles, as the pièce de résistance, and had hung it above the doorway.

Stephen shook hands with them all in turn, and she introduced Mary, who also shook hands. Then Adèle must start to gabble about Jean, who was quite safe although not a captain; and Pauline must interrupt her to tell of the neighbouring baker who had lost his four sons, and of one of her brothers who had lost his right leg -- her face very dour and her voice very cheerful, as was always the way when she told of misfortunes. And presently she must also deplore the long straight scar upon Stephen's cheek: "Oh, la pauvre! Pour une dame c'est un vrai désastre! " But Pierre must point to the green and red ribbon in Stephen's lapel: "C'est la Croix de Guerre! " so that in the end they all gathered round to admire that half-inch of honour and glory.