und
dead the next morning.

And when Chicot came in for the farm he said:

"It was very stupid of her; if she had not taken to drink she might very
well have lived for ten years longer."

HOW HE GOT THE LEGION OF HONOR

Some people are born with a predominant instinct, with some vocation or
some desire which has been evoked as soon as they begin to speak or to
think.

Ever since he was a child M. Caillard had only had one idea in his
head--to be decorated. When he was still quite a small boy he used to
wear a zinc Cross of the Legion of Honor in his tunic, just like other
children wear a soldier's cap, and he took his mother's hand in the
street with a proud look, sticking out his little chest with its red
ribbon and metal star so that it might show to advantage.

His studies were not a success, and he failed in his Examination for
Bachelor of Arts; so, not knowing what to do, he married a pretty girl,
as he had plenty of money of his own.

They lived in Paris, like many rich middle-class people do, mixing with
their own particular set, without going among other people, and proud of
knowing a Deputy, who might perhaps be a Minister some day, while two
Chiefs of Division were among their friends.

But Mons. Caillard could not get rid of his one absorbing idea, and he
felt constantly unhappy because he had not the right to wear a little
bit of colored ribbon in his buttonhole.

When he met any men who were decorated, on the boulevards, he looked at
them askance, with intense jealousy. Sometimes, when he had nothing to
do in the afternoon, he would count them, and say to himself: "Just let
me see how many I shall meet between the Madeleine and the Rue Druot."

Then he would walk slowly, looking at every coat with a practiced eye
for the little bit of red ribbon, and when he had got to the end of his
walk he always said the numbers out aloud. "Eight officers and seventeen
knights. As many as that! It is stupid to sow the Cross broadcast in
that fashion. I wonder how many I shall meet going back?"

And he returned slowly, unhappy when the crowd of passers-by interfered
with his seeing them.

He knew the places where most were to be found. They swarmed in the
Palais Royal. Fewer were seen in the Avenue de l'Opera than in the Rue
de la Paix, while the right side of the boulevard was more frequented by
them than the left.

They also seemed to prefer certain cafes and theaters. Whenever he saw a
group of