un pruneau : Slang for ' une balle

72.3. au Val-de-Grâce : A military hospital and médical school situated on the left bank, south of the Luxembourg.

72.4. ses deux galons : His two rows of braid ; ' when I saw he was a full lieutenant.'

72.5. j'ai envoyé promener la hiérarchie : ' With utter disregard of our différence in rank, I, etc.' 'Envoyer promener' is 'to send one about one's business.'