Chapter the-luncheon: The Luncheon | Short Questions

The guest’s contradiction is the core humor of the story. While she repeatedly stated, 'I never eat anything for luncheon' or 'I never eat more than one thing,' she ended up ordering several of the most expensive items on the menu. These included caviare, salmon, champagne, giant asparagus, ice cream, coffee, and a peach. Her verbal claim of moderation was a complete farce, as she indulged in a multi-course meal of rare and costly delicacies.

The author's heart sank because he knew very well that caviare was an extremely expensive luxury that was far beyond his meager budget. He had only eighty francs to last the entire month, and he had already ordered salmon for her. The mention of caviare signaled that the luncheon would be much more costly than he had planned, leading to his internal panic about whether he would have enough money to pay the final bill.

As the prices continued to climb, the author devised a desperate plan to save himself from the public embarrassment of not being able to pay. He decided that if the bill exceeded his cash, he would put his hand in his pocket, let out a dramatic cry, and claim that his pocket had been picked. If that failed, his backup plan was to leave his watch at the restaurant as security and promise to come back and pay later.

The irony lies in the guest criticizing the author for eating a 'heavy' mutton chop, claiming it was unwise and would prevent him from working. She lectured him on not 'overloading' the stomach, yet at that very moment, she was consuming multiple rich and expensive dishes like caviare and salmon. Her judgment of his single, cheap dish while she gorged herself on luxuries shows her complete lack of self-reflection and her extreme hypocrisy.

At the end of the luncheon, the author felt financially ruined and humiliated. After paying the bill and leaving a very small tip, he was left with absolutely no money for the rest of the month. He felt a sense of bitterness as his guest called him a 'humorist' for saying he wouldn't eat dinner, failing to realize his statement was a literal truth caused by her greed. He walked away with a 'whole month before him and not a penny in his pocket.'