THE LUNCHEON Questions and Answers

THE LUNCHEON

1.Though it was long since the narrator had seen his friend how did he recognize his friend?

By her name, when someone mentioned her.

2.Where was the narrator living twenty years ago?

In Paris, in a tiny apartment in the Latin quarter which overlooked a cemetery.

3.How did the author of the story make his money twenty years ago?

the author of the story made his money twenty years ago By writing books.

4. Why did he decide to invite the lady for luncheon?

He was flattered and he was far too young to have learned to say ‘No’ to a woman.

5.Where did the lady want to have luncheon?

At Foyot’s

6.What kind of a restaurant was Foyot?

It was an expensive restaurant which the narrator couldn’t afford. A restaurant where the French senators dined.

7.How did the narrator convince himself that he could afford to take his friend for luncheon at the Foyot’s?

He had 80 francs with him and a modest lunch would not cost him more than fifteen francs. If he cut out the coffee for two more weeks, he could manage well.

8.What all did the lady order for her luncheon?

Salmon, caviar, champagne, asparagus

9.What did the narrator order for himself?

Mutton chops

10.What did the lady talk gaily about?

She talked about art, literature and music.

11.Why did she criticize his eating habits?

As she felt that mutton chops were heavy for lunch.

12.Why did the narrator panic?

Not because he wondered whether he would have enough money to end till the end

of the month but because he wondered whether he would have enough to pay the bill.

13.What did the narrator plan to do if he didn’t have enough money to pay the bill?

He would be obliged to borrow it from his guest. However he couldn’t get himself to do that. So he would pretend that his wallet had got picked. However it would be awkward if she too didn’t have enough money to pay the bill.

14.What would be the final solution?

He would leave his watch and come back and pay later

15.Inspite of the hefty bill thoughts on the narrators mind, he orders a coffee for himself and

a coffee with ice-cream for the lady. Why?

By this time he did not care anymore

16.Did the narrator have enough money to pay the bill?

He just about managed.

17.Why did the lady call him a ‘Humorist’?

As she tells the narrator that one should not eat more than one thing for luncheon, he says that he will eat nothing for dinner that night.