So the star was pinned quite low down.

Sir William, peeping down, exclaimed: "Well, that is most curious now! I wear an order over the pit of my stomach! I think that is very curious: a curious place to wear an order." "Stand up! Stand up and let us look!" said Lady Franks.

"There now, isn't it handsome?
And isn't it a great deal of honour for one man?
Could he have expected so much, in one life-time?
I call it wonderful.
Come and look at yourself, dear"-- and she led him to a mirror.
"What's more, all thoroughly deserved," said Arthur.
"I should think so," said the Colonel, fidgetting.
"Ah, yes, nobody has deserved them better," cooed Sybil.
"Nor on more humane and generous grounds," said the Major, _sotto voce._ "The effort to save life, indeed," returned the Major's young wife: "splendid!" Sir William stood naively before the mirror and looked at his three stars on his black velvet dinner-jacket.
"Almost directly over the pit of my stomach," he said.

"I hope that is not a decoration for my greedy APPETITE." And he laughed at the young women.
"I assure you it is in position, Sir," said Arthur.

"Absolutely correct.
I will read it out to you later." "Aren't you satisfied?
Aren't you a proud man! Isn't it wonderful ?" said Lady Franks.