Textbook: The Luncheon | English Kumarbharati Class 10 (Maharashtra SSC Board) PDF Download

 Page 1


The Luncheon
I caught sight of her at the play and in answer to 
her call. I went over during the interval and sat down 
beside her. It was long since I had last seen her and, 
if someone had not mentioned her name, I hardly think 
I would have recognised her. She addressd me brightly.
“Well, it’s many years since we first met. How 
time does fly ! We’re none of us getting any younger. 
Do you remember the first time I saw you ? You asked 
me to luncheon.”
Did I remember ?
It was twenty years ago and I was living in Paris. I 
had a tiny apartment and I was earning barely enough 
money. She had read a book of mine and had written to 
me about it. I answered, thanking her, and presently, I 
received from her another letter saying she was passing 
through Paris and would like to have a chat with me. 
But her time was limited and the only free moment she 
had was on the following Thursday and would I give 
her a little luncheon at Foyot’s afterwards ? Foyot’s 
is a restaurant and it was so far beyond my means 
that I had never even thought of going there. I had 
eighty francs (gold francs) to last me the rest of the 
month and a modest luncheon should not cost more 
than fifteen. If I cut out coffee for the next two weeks, 
I could manage well enough.
I answered that I would meet my friend at Foyot’s 
on Thursday at half-past twelve. She was, in appearance, 
imposing rather than attractive and she gave me the 
impression of having more teeth, white and large and 
even, than were necessary for any practical purpose. 
u??? Where and when did 
they decide to have 
luncheon ?
l far beyond one’s 
means : not 
affordable
l imposing : grand 
 or impressive
u??? What is the profession 
of the narrator ?
u??? When was the lady 
free ?
William Somerset Maugham (1874-1965) was a distinguished 
British playwright, novelist and short story writer. He was among the 
most popular writers of his era and reputedly the highest paid author 
during the 1930s. His work is characterized by a clear unadorned style, 
cosmopolitan settings, and a shrewd understanding of human nature.
A most delightfully humourous narative ‘The Luncheon’ is a Slice 
of Life story about Maugham’s luncheon date proposed to him by a 
woman who he hopes is a supporter of his art.
151
Page 2


The Luncheon
I caught sight of her at the play and in answer to 
her call. I went over during the interval and sat down 
beside her. It was long since I had last seen her and, 
if someone had not mentioned her name, I hardly think 
I would have recognised her. She addressd me brightly.
“Well, it’s many years since we first met. How 
time does fly ! We’re none of us getting any younger. 
Do you remember the first time I saw you ? You asked 
me to luncheon.”
Did I remember ?
It was twenty years ago and I was living in Paris. I 
had a tiny apartment and I was earning barely enough 
money. She had read a book of mine and had written to 
me about it. I answered, thanking her, and presently, I 
received from her another letter saying she was passing 
through Paris and would like to have a chat with me. 
But her time was limited and the only free moment she 
had was on the following Thursday and would I give 
her a little luncheon at Foyot’s afterwards ? Foyot’s 
is a restaurant and it was so far beyond my means 
that I had never even thought of going there. I had 
eighty francs (gold francs) to last me the rest of the 
month and a modest luncheon should not cost more 
than fifteen. If I cut out coffee for the next two weeks, 
I could manage well enough.
I answered that I would meet my friend at Foyot’s 
on Thursday at half-past twelve. She was, in appearance, 
imposing rather than attractive and she gave me the 
impression of having more teeth, white and large and 
even, than were necessary for any practical purpose. 
u??? Where and when did 
they decide to have 
luncheon ?
l far beyond one’s 
means : not 
affordable
l imposing : grand 
 or impressive
u??? What is the profession 
of the narrator ?
u??? When was the lady 
free ?
William Somerset Maugham (1874-1965) was a distinguished 
British playwright, novelist and short story writer. He was among the 
most popular writers of his era and reputedly the highest paid author 
during the 1930s. His work is characterized by a clear unadorned style, 
cosmopolitan settings, and a shrewd understanding of human nature.
A most delightfully humourous narative ‘The Luncheon’ is a Slice 
of Life story about Maugham’s luncheon date proposed to him by a 
woman who he hopes is a supporter of his art.
151
She was talkative, but since she seemed to want to talk 
about me, I was prepared to be an attentive listener.
I was startled when the menu was brought, for the 
prices were a great deal higher than I had thought. But 
she reassured me.
“I never eat anything for luncheon,” she said.
“Oh, don’t say that !” I answered generously.
“I never eat more than one thing. I think people 
eat far too much nowadays. A little fish, perhaps. I 
wonder if they have any salmon.”
Well, it was early in the year for salmon and it was 
not on the menu, but I asked the waiter if there was 
any. Yes, a beautiful salmon had just come in - it was 
the first they had had. I ordered it for my guest. The 
waiter asked her if she would have something while it 
was being cooked. “No,” she answered, “I never eat 
more than one thing. Unless you had a little caviar. I 
never mind caviar.”
I knew I could not afford caviar, but I could not 
very well tell her that. For myself, I chose the cheapest 
dish on the menu and that was a mutton chop.
“I think you’re unwise to eat meat,” she said. “I 
don’t believe in overloading my stomach.”
She ate the caviar and she ate the salmon. She 
talked gaily of art and literature and music. But I 
wondered what the bill would come to. When my 
mutton chop arrived, she took me quite seriously to 
task.
“I see that you’re in the habit of eating a heavy 
luncheon. I’m sure it’s a mistake. Why don’t you 
follow my example and just eat one thing ? I couldn’t 
possibly eat anything more unless they had some of 
those giant asparagus. I should be sorry to leave Paris 
without having some of them.”
My heart sank. I had seen them in the shops and 
I knew that they were horribly expensive. My mouth 
had often watered at the sight of them.
“I’m not in the least hungry,” my guest sighed, “but 
if you insist, I don’t mind having some asparagus.” I 
ordered them.
“Aren’t you going to have any ?”
“No, I never eat asparagus.”
u ‘I never eat anything
for luncheon’. Explain
the irony in this line.
u What does the use
of the word ‘sank’
suggest about the
narrator’s feelings ? 
u What do you think the
woman reassured the
narrator about ?
l caviar : an
expensive dish made
of eggs of a fish,
sturgeon
152
Page 3


The Luncheon
I caught sight of her at the play and in answer to 
her call. I went over during the interval and sat down 
beside her. It was long since I had last seen her and, 
if someone had not mentioned her name, I hardly think 
I would have recognised her. She addressd me brightly.
“Well, it’s many years since we first met. How 
time does fly ! We’re none of us getting any younger. 
Do you remember the first time I saw you ? You asked 
me to luncheon.”
Did I remember ?
It was twenty years ago and I was living in Paris. I 
had a tiny apartment and I was earning barely enough 
money. She had read a book of mine and had written to 
me about it. I answered, thanking her, and presently, I 
received from her another letter saying she was passing 
through Paris and would like to have a chat with me. 
But her time was limited and the only free moment she 
had was on the following Thursday and would I give 
her a little luncheon at Foyot’s afterwards ? Foyot’s 
is a restaurant and it was so far beyond my means 
that I had never even thought of going there. I had 
eighty francs (gold francs) to last me the rest of the 
month and a modest luncheon should not cost more 
than fifteen. If I cut out coffee for the next two weeks, 
I could manage well enough.
I answered that I would meet my friend at Foyot’s 
on Thursday at half-past twelve. She was, in appearance, 
imposing rather than attractive and she gave me the 
impression of having more teeth, white and large and 
even, than were necessary for any practical purpose. 
u??? Where and when did 
they decide to have 
luncheon ?
l far beyond one’s 
means : not 
affordable
l imposing : grand 
 or impressive
u??? What is the profession 
of the narrator ?
u??? When was the lady 
free ?
William Somerset Maugham (1874-1965) was a distinguished 
British playwright, novelist and short story writer. He was among the 
most popular writers of his era and reputedly the highest paid author 
during the 1930s. His work is characterized by a clear unadorned style, 
cosmopolitan settings, and a shrewd understanding of human nature.
A most delightfully humourous narative ‘The Luncheon’ is a Slice 
of Life story about Maugham’s luncheon date proposed to him by a 
woman who he hopes is a supporter of his art.
151
She was talkative, but since she seemed to want to talk 
about me, I was prepared to be an attentive listener.
I was startled when the menu was brought, for the 
prices were a great deal higher than I had thought. But 
she reassured me.
“I never eat anything for luncheon,” she said.
“Oh, don’t say that !” I answered generously.
“I never eat more than one thing. I think people 
eat far too much nowadays. A little fish, perhaps. I 
wonder if they have any salmon.”
Well, it was early in the year for salmon and it was 
not on the menu, but I asked the waiter if there was 
any. Yes, a beautiful salmon had just come in - it was 
the first they had had. I ordered it for my guest. The 
waiter asked her if she would have something while it 
was being cooked. “No,” she answered, “I never eat 
more than one thing. Unless you had a little caviar. I 
never mind caviar.”
I knew I could not afford caviar, but I could not 
very well tell her that. For myself, I chose the cheapest 
dish on the menu and that was a mutton chop.
“I think you’re unwise to eat meat,” she said. “I 
don’t believe in overloading my stomach.”
She ate the caviar and she ate the salmon. She 
talked gaily of art and literature and music. But I 
wondered what the bill would come to. When my 
mutton chop arrived, she took me quite seriously to 
task.
“I see that you’re in the habit of eating a heavy 
luncheon. I’m sure it’s a mistake. Why don’t you 
follow my example and just eat one thing ? I couldn’t 
possibly eat anything more unless they had some of 
those giant asparagus. I should be sorry to leave Paris 
without having some of them.”
My heart sank. I had seen them in the shops and 
I knew that they were horribly expensive. My mouth 
had often watered at the sight of them.
“I’m not in the least hungry,” my guest sighed, “but 
if you insist, I don’t mind having some asparagus.” I 
ordered them.
“Aren’t you going to have any ?”
“No, I never eat asparagus.”
u ‘I never eat anything
for luncheon’. Explain
the irony in this line.
u What does the use
of the word ‘sank’
suggest about the
narrator’s feelings ? 
u What do you think the
woman reassured the
narrator about ?
l caviar : an
expensive dish made
of eggs of a fish,
sturgeon
152
We waited for the asparagus to be cooked. Panic 
seized me. It was not a question now of how much 
money I should have left over for the rest of the month, 
but whether I had enough to pay the bill. It would 
be mortifying to find myself ten francs short and be 
obliged to borrow from my guest. I knew exactly how 
much I had and if the bill came to more. I made 
up my mind that I would put my hand in my pocket 
and with a dramatic cry, start up and say it had been 
picked. Of course, it would be awkward if she had not 
money enough either to pay the bill. Then, the only 
thing would be to leave my watch and say I would 
come back and pay later.
The asparagus appeared. I watched her thrust 
them down her throat in large mouthfuls. At last, she 
finished.
“Coffee ?” I said.
“Yes, just an ice cream and coffee,” she answered. 
I was past caring now, so I ordered coffee for myself 
and an ice cream and coffee for her.
“You know, there’s one thing I thoroughly believe 
in,” she said, as she ate the ice cream. “One should 
always get up from a meal feeling one could eat a 
little more.”
“Are you still hungry ?” I asked faintly.
“Oh, no, I’m not hungry. You see, I don’t eat 
luncheon. I have a cup of coffee in the morning and 
then dinner, but I never eat more than one thing for 
luncheon. I was speaking for you.”
“Oh, I see.” Then a terrible thing happened. While 
we were waiting for the coffee, the head waiter came 
up to us bearing a large basket full of huge peaches. 
But surely peaches were not in season then ? Lord knew 
what they cost ! I knew a little later, for my guest 
going on with her conversation, absent-mindedly took 
one.
“You see, you’ve filled your stomach with a lot 
of meat,” my one miserable little chop “and you can’t 
eat any more. But I’ve just had a snack and I shall 
enjoy a peach.”
The bill came and when I paid it I found that I 
had only enough for a quite inadequate tip. Her eyes 
rested for an instant on the three francs I left for the 
u ‘I was past caring
now .’  In your view,
explain why the
narrator feels this
way.
u??? ‘Then a terrible thing
happened.’ Describe
the narrator’s
emotion at this point
in the story. Why
does he express this
emotion ?
l mortifying : feeling
ashamed and
embarrassed
l inadequate : not
sufficient
153
Page 4


The Luncheon
I caught sight of her at the play and in answer to 
her call. I went over during the interval and sat down 
beside her. It was long since I had last seen her and, 
if someone had not mentioned her name, I hardly think 
I would have recognised her. She addressd me brightly.
“Well, it’s many years since we first met. How 
time does fly ! We’re none of us getting any younger. 
Do you remember the first time I saw you ? You asked 
me to luncheon.”
Did I remember ?
It was twenty years ago and I was living in Paris. I 
had a tiny apartment and I was earning barely enough 
money. She had read a book of mine and had written to 
me about it. I answered, thanking her, and presently, I 
received from her another letter saying she was passing 
through Paris and would like to have a chat with me. 
But her time was limited and the only free moment she 
had was on the following Thursday and would I give 
her a little luncheon at Foyot’s afterwards ? Foyot’s 
is a restaurant and it was so far beyond my means 
that I had never even thought of going there. I had 
eighty francs (gold francs) to last me the rest of the 
month and a modest luncheon should not cost more 
than fifteen. If I cut out coffee for the next two weeks, 
I could manage well enough.
I answered that I would meet my friend at Foyot’s 
on Thursday at half-past twelve. She was, in appearance, 
imposing rather than attractive and she gave me the 
impression of having more teeth, white and large and 
even, than were necessary for any practical purpose. 
u??? Where and when did 
they decide to have 
luncheon ?
l far beyond one’s 
means : not 
affordable
l imposing : grand 
 or impressive
u??? What is the profession 
of the narrator ?
u??? When was the lady 
free ?
William Somerset Maugham (1874-1965) was a distinguished 
British playwright, novelist and short story writer. He was among the 
most popular writers of his era and reputedly the highest paid author 
during the 1930s. His work is characterized by a clear unadorned style, 
cosmopolitan settings, and a shrewd understanding of human nature.
A most delightfully humourous narative ‘The Luncheon’ is a Slice 
of Life story about Maugham’s luncheon date proposed to him by a 
woman who he hopes is a supporter of his art.
151
She was talkative, but since she seemed to want to talk 
about me, I was prepared to be an attentive listener.
I was startled when the menu was brought, for the 
prices were a great deal higher than I had thought. But 
she reassured me.
“I never eat anything for luncheon,” she said.
“Oh, don’t say that !” I answered generously.
“I never eat more than one thing. I think people 
eat far too much nowadays. A little fish, perhaps. I 
wonder if they have any salmon.”
Well, it was early in the year for salmon and it was 
not on the menu, but I asked the waiter if there was 
any. Yes, a beautiful salmon had just come in - it was 
the first they had had. I ordered it for my guest. The 
waiter asked her if she would have something while it 
was being cooked. “No,” she answered, “I never eat 
more than one thing. Unless you had a little caviar. I 
never mind caviar.”
I knew I could not afford caviar, but I could not 
very well tell her that. For myself, I chose the cheapest 
dish on the menu and that was a mutton chop.
“I think you’re unwise to eat meat,” she said. “I 
don’t believe in overloading my stomach.”
She ate the caviar and she ate the salmon. She 
talked gaily of art and literature and music. But I 
wondered what the bill would come to. When my 
mutton chop arrived, she took me quite seriously to 
task.
“I see that you’re in the habit of eating a heavy 
luncheon. I’m sure it’s a mistake. Why don’t you 
follow my example and just eat one thing ? I couldn’t 
possibly eat anything more unless they had some of 
those giant asparagus. I should be sorry to leave Paris 
without having some of them.”
My heart sank. I had seen them in the shops and 
I knew that they were horribly expensive. My mouth 
had often watered at the sight of them.
“I’m not in the least hungry,” my guest sighed, “but 
if you insist, I don’t mind having some asparagus.” I 
ordered them.
“Aren’t you going to have any ?”
“No, I never eat asparagus.”
u ‘I never eat anything
for luncheon’. Explain
the irony in this line.
u What does the use
of the word ‘sank’
suggest about the
narrator’s feelings ? 
u What do you think the
woman reassured the
narrator about ?
l caviar : an
expensive dish made
of eggs of a fish,
sturgeon
152
We waited for the asparagus to be cooked. Panic 
seized me. It was not a question now of how much 
money I should have left over for the rest of the month, 
but whether I had enough to pay the bill. It would 
be mortifying to find myself ten francs short and be 
obliged to borrow from my guest. I knew exactly how 
much I had and if the bill came to more. I made 
up my mind that I would put my hand in my pocket 
and with a dramatic cry, start up and say it had been 
picked. Of course, it would be awkward if she had not 
money enough either to pay the bill. Then, the only 
thing would be to leave my watch and say I would 
come back and pay later.
The asparagus appeared. I watched her thrust 
them down her throat in large mouthfuls. At last, she 
finished.
“Coffee ?” I said.
“Yes, just an ice cream and coffee,” she answered. 
I was past caring now, so I ordered coffee for myself 
and an ice cream and coffee for her.
“You know, there’s one thing I thoroughly believe 
in,” she said, as she ate the ice cream. “One should 
always get up from a meal feeling one could eat a 
little more.”
“Are you still hungry ?” I asked faintly.
“Oh, no, I’m not hungry. You see, I don’t eat 
luncheon. I have a cup of coffee in the morning and 
then dinner, but I never eat more than one thing for 
luncheon. I was speaking for you.”
“Oh, I see.” Then a terrible thing happened. While 
we were waiting for the coffee, the head waiter came 
up to us bearing a large basket full of huge peaches. 
But surely peaches were not in season then ? Lord knew 
what they cost ! I knew a little later, for my guest 
going on with her conversation, absent-mindedly took 
one.
“You see, you’ve filled your stomach with a lot 
of meat,” my one miserable little chop “and you can’t 
eat any more. But I’ve just had a snack and I shall 
enjoy a peach.”
The bill came and when I paid it I found that I 
had only enough for a quite inadequate tip. Her eyes 
rested for an instant on the three francs I left for the 
u ‘I was past caring
now .’  In your view,
explain why the
narrator feels this
way.
u??? ‘Then a terrible thing
happened.’ Describe
the narrator’s
emotion at this point
in the story. Why
does he express this
emotion ?
l mortifying : feeling
ashamed and
embarrassed
l inadequate : not
sufficient
153
waiter and I knew that she thought me mean. But when 
I walked out of the restaurant I had the whole month 
before me and not a penny in my pocket.
“Follow my example,” she said as we shook hands, 
“and never eat more than one thing for luncheon.”
“I’ll do better than that,” I retorted, “I’ll eat 
nothing for dinner tonight.”
“Humorist !” she cried gaily, jumping into a cab. 
“You’re quite a humorist !”
But I have had my revenge at last. I do not believe 
that I am a vindictive man, but when the gods take a 
hand in the matter it is understandable to observe the 
result with satisfaction. Today, she weighs twenty - one 
stone.
u How many things did
the guest eat in all ?
1. Choose the correct option from the bracket and fill in the blanks given below.
(addressed, luncheon, generously, unwise, insist)
(a) The chief guest the students.
(b) The crow was to sing.
(c) I invited my relatives to
(d) Parents always on children to be allrounders.
(e) The king decided to donate his wealth among his subjects
2. Go through the story again and find out various instances which create humour
in ‘The Luncheon’. Complete the table by picking up various humorous instances
and the particular line from the story. One is done for you.
Humorous Instance Line from the story
l The woman is a voracious
eater
   ‘‘ Follow my example, and never eat more 
than one thing for luncheon.’’
3. Who said these words/sentences? Under what circumstances?
Words/Sentences Who said?  Under what 
circumstances?
1. I never eat anything for luncheon.
2. It’s many years since we first  met.
3. Are you still hungry?
4. I don’t believe in overloading my
stomach.
5. I’ll eat nothing for dinner tonight.
ENGLISH WORKSHOP 
l retorted : replied
quickly with anger
l vindictive :
revengeful
l stone : a unit of
weight equal to 14
pounds.
154
Page 5


The Luncheon
I caught sight of her at the play and in answer to 
her call. I went over during the interval and sat down 
beside her. It was long since I had last seen her and, 
if someone had not mentioned her name, I hardly think 
I would have recognised her. She addressd me brightly.
“Well, it’s many years since we first met. How 
time does fly ! We’re none of us getting any younger. 
Do you remember the first time I saw you ? You asked 
me to luncheon.”
Did I remember ?
It was twenty years ago and I was living in Paris. I 
had a tiny apartment and I was earning barely enough 
money. She had read a book of mine and had written to 
me about it. I answered, thanking her, and presently, I 
received from her another letter saying she was passing 
through Paris and would like to have a chat with me. 
But her time was limited and the only free moment she 
had was on the following Thursday and would I give 
her a little luncheon at Foyot’s afterwards ? Foyot’s 
is a restaurant and it was so far beyond my means 
that I had never even thought of going there. I had 
eighty francs (gold francs) to last me the rest of the 
month and a modest luncheon should not cost more 
than fifteen. If I cut out coffee for the next two weeks, 
I could manage well enough.
I answered that I would meet my friend at Foyot’s 
on Thursday at half-past twelve. She was, in appearance, 
imposing rather than attractive and she gave me the 
impression of having more teeth, white and large and 
even, than were necessary for any practical purpose. 
u??? Where and when did 
they decide to have 
luncheon ?
l far beyond one’s 
means : not 
affordable
l imposing : grand 
 or impressive
u??? What is the profession 
of the narrator ?
u??? When was the lady 
free ?
William Somerset Maugham (1874-1965) was a distinguished 
British playwright, novelist and short story writer. He was among the 
most popular writers of his era and reputedly the highest paid author 
during the 1930s. His work is characterized by a clear unadorned style, 
cosmopolitan settings, and a shrewd understanding of human nature.
A most delightfully humourous narative ‘The Luncheon’ is a Slice 
of Life story about Maugham’s luncheon date proposed to him by a 
woman who he hopes is a supporter of his art.
151
She was talkative, but since she seemed to want to talk 
about me, I was prepared to be an attentive listener.
I was startled when the menu was brought, for the 
prices were a great deal higher than I had thought. But 
she reassured me.
“I never eat anything for luncheon,” she said.
“Oh, don’t say that !” I answered generously.
“I never eat more than one thing. I think people 
eat far too much nowadays. A little fish, perhaps. I 
wonder if they have any salmon.”
Well, it was early in the year for salmon and it was 
not on the menu, but I asked the waiter if there was 
any. Yes, a beautiful salmon had just come in - it was 
the first they had had. I ordered it for my guest. The 
waiter asked her if she would have something while it 
was being cooked. “No,” she answered, “I never eat 
more than one thing. Unless you had a little caviar. I 
never mind caviar.”
I knew I could not afford caviar, but I could not 
very well tell her that. For myself, I chose the cheapest 
dish on the menu and that was a mutton chop.
“I think you’re unwise to eat meat,” she said. “I 
don’t believe in overloading my stomach.”
She ate the caviar and she ate the salmon. She 
talked gaily of art and literature and music. But I 
wondered what the bill would come to. When my 
mutton chop arrived, she took me quite seriously to 
task.
“I see that you’re in the habit of eating a heavy 
luncheon. I’m sure it’s a mistake. Why don’t you 
follow my example and just eat one thing ? I couldn’t 
possibly eat anything more unless they had some of 
those giant asparagus. I should be sorry to leave Paris 
without having some of them.”
My heart sank. I had seen them in the shops and 
I knew that they were horribly expensive. My mouth 
had often watered at the sight of them.
“I’m not in the least hungry,” my guest sighed, “but 
if you insist, I don’t mind having some asparagus.” I 
ordered them.
“Aren’t you going to have any ?”
“No, I never eat asparagus.”
u ‘I never eat anything
for luncheon’. Explain
the irony in this line.
u What does the use
of the word ‘sank’
suggest about the
narrator’s feelings ? 
u What do you think the
woman reassured the
narrator about ?
l caviar : an
expensive dish made
of eggs of a fish,
sturgeon
152
We waited for the asparagus to be cooked. Panic 
seized me. It was not a question now of how much 
money I should have left over for the rest of the month, 
but whether I had enough to pay the bill. It would 
be mortifying to find myself ten francs short and be 
obliged to borrow from my guest. I knew exactly how 
much I had and if the bill came to more. I made 
up my mind that I would put my hand in my pocket 
and with a dramatic cry, start up and say it had been 
picked. Of course, it would be awkward if she had not 
money enough either to pay the bill. Then, the only 
thing would be to leave my watch and say I would 
come back and pay later.
The asparagus appeared. I watched her thrust 
them down her throat in large mouthfuls. At last, she 
finished.
“Coffee ?” I said.
“Yes, just an ice cream and coffee,” she answered. 
I was past caring now, so I ordered coffee for myself 
and an ice cream and coffee for her.
“You know, there’s one thing I thoroughly believe 
in,” she said, as she ate the ice cream. “One should 
always get up from a meal feeling one could eat a 
little more.”
“Are you still hungry ?” I asked faintly.
“Oh, no, I’m not hungry. You see, I don’t eat 
luncheon. I have a cup of coffee in the morning and 
then dinner, but I never eat more than one thing for 
luncheon. I was speaking for you.”
“Oh, I see.” Then a terrible thing happened. While 
we were waiting for the coffee, the head waiter came 
up to us bearing a large basket full of huge peaches. 
But surely peaches were not in season then ? Lord knew 
what they cost ! I knew a little later, for my guest 
going on with her conversation, absent-mindedly took 
one.
“You see, you’ve filled your stomach with a lot 
of meat,” my one miserable little chop “and you can’t 
eat any more. But I’ve just had a snack and I shall 
enjoy a peach.”
The bill came and when I paid it I found that I 
had only enough for a quite inadequate tip. Her eyes 
rested for an instant on the three francs I left for the 
u ‘I was past caring
now .’  In your view,
explain why the
narrator feels this
way.
u??? ‘Then a terrible thing
happened.’ Describe
the narrator’s
emotion at this point
in the story. Why
does he express this
emotion ?
l mortifying : feeling
ashamed and
embarrassed
l inadequate : not
sufficient
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waiter and I knew that she thought me mean. But when 
I walked out of the restaurant I had the whole month 
before me and not a penny in my pocket.
“Follow my example,” she said as we shook hands, 
“and never eat more than one thing for luncheon.”
“I’ll do better than that,” I retorted, “I’ll eat 
nothing for dinner tonight.”
“Humorist !” she cried gaily, jumping into a cab. 
“You’re quite a humorist !”
But I have had my revenge at last. I do not believe 
that I am a vindictive man, but when the gods take a 
hand in the matter it is understandable to observe the 
result with satisfaction. Today, she weighs twenty - one 
stone.
u How many things did
the guest eat in all ?
1. Choose the correct option from the bracket and fill in the blanks given below.
(addressed, luncheon, generously, unwise, insist)
(a) The chief guest the students.
(b) The crow was to sing.
(c) I invited my relatives to
(d) Parents always on children to be allrounders.
(e) The king decided to donate his wealth among his subjects
2. Go through the story again and find out various instances which create humour
in ‘The Luncheon’. Complete the table by picking up various humorous instances
and the particular line from the story. One is done for you.
Humorous Instance Line from the story
l The woman is a voracious
eater
   ‘‘ Follow my example, and never eat more 
than one thing for luncheon.’’
3. Who said these words/sentences? Under what circumstances?
Words/Sentences Who said?  Under what 
circumstances?
1. I never eat anything for luncheon.
2. It’s many years since we first  met.
3. Are you still hungry?
4. I don’t believe in overloading my
stomach.
5. I’ll eat nothing for dinner tonight.
ENGLISH WORKSHOP 
l retorted : replied
quickly with anger
l vindictive :
revengeful
l stone : a unit of
weight equal to 14
pounds.
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4. Answer in your own words.
(a) Although the author was not a vindictive man, he was very happy to see her
weigh twenty one stone and had finally had his revenge. What makes him
say this? Explain.
(b) There are quite a few places where the author uses the expressions ‘My heart
sank, panic seized’etc. What was the reason for this ? Explain.
(c) What are the instances which create humour in “The Luncheon”?
(d) Describe the use of irony and humour in “The Luncheon”.
5. Pick out the words and phrases in the story that indicate that the author was
not financially well off. One is done for you.
Words not afford
Phrases beyond my means
6. After reading the story, put the following events into correct order :
(a) She gave me her last kind advice how to improve my eating habits.
(b) I met her in the theatre after many years and I could hardly recognize her.
(c) Twenty years ago, I lived in Paris and earned just enough money to get by.
(d) I was really scared what could happen when I would pay the bill.
(e) “I never eat anything for luncheon.”
(f) I ordered a mutton chop for myself.
(g) She had read a book of mine.
(h) She ordered asparagus.
(i) She suggested him to invite her to a famous and expensive restaurant.
(j) I didn’t have dinner for the rest of the month.
7. Irony is the expression of meaning through the use of language signifying the
opposite. Describe the use of irony in ‘The Luncheon’. Pick the sentences from
the story that are examples of irony. Fill in the table ‘A’ the general direct
meaning while in table ‘B’ its hidden meaning or the opposite meaning intended
by the speaker. One is done for you.
Sentence Direct meaning Hidden meaning
* If I cut out coffee for
the next two days,
* to stop drinking coffee * to stop spending money
in order to save money
for some purpose.
8. Fill in the blank a word or a phrase given in the brackets in their appropriate
forms. (startle, catch sight of, overload, water, pass)
1. “I never my stomach”, she said.
2. I was when the menu was brought. 
3. The author the guest at the play. 
4. I had seen asparagus in the shops, my mouth often at the sight of them. 
5. The author’s guest was through Paris. 
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