What is the setting of the luncheon by W Somerset Maugham?

Answer 1

Summary of 'The

Luncheon'

The writer of 'The Luncheon'

William Somerset Maugham, in

this short story,relates about a

lady who is an admirer of his

stories. She wins the author's

favour and expresses her wish to

meet him at a high class

restaurant.William exposes the

false motives of modest eating

habits, of the middle classes with

a touch of humour.

Twenty years ago the author was

living in Paris, when he had met

a lady, who is an admirer of his

stories. She had met him at a play

and relates to him the incident

during the interval which had

occurred at that time. She had

read a book written by him, and

had written a letter to him about

her views. Another letter was

posted, stating about her visit to

Paris and her desire to have a

little luncheon at the Foyots, a

restaurant where French

senators eat. William was not a

rich man and had never even

thought of visiting that

restaurant, nor did he possess

the art of refusing her request.

Estimating the cost of a

luncheon, which should not cost

more than fifteen Francs,he

decided to cut down coffee from

his menu, so that he could have

enough for himself for the next

two weeks. His meeting was

fixed on Thursday, at half past

twelve, through

correspondence.The lady was in

her Forties, talkative, and not

attractive. She had ordered for

Salmon,and Caviare, while the

Salmon was being

prepared.William had ordered for

the cheapest dish mutton- chops.

After the meal, she had ordered

for white champagne. She kept

enjoying the meal, and chatting

about art, literature, and music,

while William kept wondering

about the bill.The bill of fare was

soaring above that which he had

anticipated.When the waiter had

come with the bill she waived

him aside with an air of gesture

and ordered for Asparagus, the

horribly expensive dish.William's

heart sank, his mouth watered,

and yet he had to quell his

emotions.Adding to worsen the

situation, she ordered for ice-

cream and then coffee, all the

same announcing that 'she never

ate anything for luncheon - just a

bite' Thoughts kept reeling

through William's mind about

how he was going to pay the

exorbitant bill or how could he

feign an act of his pocket having

been picked.

To his utter dismay,the head

waiter walked up to the table

with a large basket full of huge

Peaches.She picked up one

protesting that her meal was just

a snack, and that she could

certainly enjoy the Peach.

The bill was finally paid, and

William found himself with just a

few Francs for the tips, and not a

penny left in his pocket for the

whole month. William believes,

that he had had his revenge for

then, when the Twenty years had

passed by, he met her weighing

One Hundred and Thirty -Six

Kilograms.

Answer 2

foyot