The Luncheon, English Literature, Class VIII, DAVCMC Board, The Best Solutions. 

Pre-Reading Task

1. Prepare an ideal diet chart for a teenager. Does it match with the actual diet you are taking?

Answer – Ideal Diet Chart for a Teenager (Approximate Daily Schedule)

Rest part – “Does it match with the actual diet I am taking?”, will be done by the students.

2. What could be the possible consequences of not taking a balanced diet? Discuss with your partner.

Answer – Consequences of not taking a balanced diet:

• Weak Immunity – More prone to infections and illnesses.
• Stunted Growth – Inadequate nutrients can affect physical and mental development.
• Fatigue and Weakness – Lack of energy due to nutrient deficiency.
• Obesity or Underweight Issues – Imbalance of calories and nutrition.
• Concentration Problems – Poor memory and focus due to lack of proper brain nourishment.
• Lifestyle Diseases – Risk of diabetes, heart diseases, or bone problems in the long run.

A balanced diet is essential for maintaining health, especially during teenage when the body is growing rapidly.

3. List of Etiquettes and Table Manners for a Formal Family Lunch

Answer – Etiquettes and Table Manners:

1. Wash your hands before and after meals.
2. Sit straight and wait for everyone before starting.
3. Use serving spoons; do not use your own spoon to take food.
4. Do not talk with food in your mouth.
5. Chew food with your mouth closed.
6. Say “please” and “thank you” when requesting or receiving food.
7. Do not use mobile phones at the table.
8. Eat at a moderate speed and don’t waste food.
9. Offer to help in serving or clearing the table.

• Compliment the food politely if you liked it.

Word-Meaning

Summary in English: The Luncheon

“The Luncheon” is a humourous short story by W. Somerset Maugham, describing a lunch meeting between the narrator and a woman who admired his writing. Set in Paris, the story is a recollection of a past experience when the narrator was young and struggling financially. The woman invites herself to a lunch at an expensive restaurant, Foyot’s, under the pretext that she never eats more than one thing.

Ironically, she orders the costliest dishes — caviar, salmon, asparagus, ice cream, and even a peach — while claiming each time that she eats “just one thing.” Meanwhile, the narrator, worried about his meager budget, eats only a cheap mutton chop and drinks water. The woman’s false modesty and extravagance put him in a financially embarrassing position, leaving him penniless for the rest of the month.

In a humourous twist at the end, the narrator reveals that he later had his “revenge” — the woman now weighs twenty-one stone (about 133 kg).

हिंदी में सारांश (Summary in Hindi):

“द लंचन” समरसेट मॉम द्वारा लिखी गई एक हास्यपूर्ण लघु कहानी है, जो लेखक और एक महिला प्रशंसक के बीच हुई दोपहर के भोजन की मुलाक़ात को बयान करती है। यह कहानी पेरिस में घटती है, जब लेखक एक संघर्षशील जीवन जी रहा होता है।

महिला लेखक से मिलने की इच्छा जताती है और खुद को एक महँगे रेस्तराँ  में लंच के लिए आमंत्रित कर देती है। वह बार-बार कहती है कि वह बहुत कम खाती है — सिर्फ ‘एक चीज़’ — लेकिन फिर भी कैवियार, सैल्मन, ऐस्पैरेगस, आइसक्रीम और पीच जैसी महँगी चीज़ें मँगवाती जाती है। दूसरी ओर लेखक सिर्फ एक सस्ती सी मटन चॉप और पानी लेता है क्योंकि उसके पास बहुत कम पैसे होते हैं।

महिला की झूठी सादगी और दिखावे के कारण लेखक की स्थिति आर्थिक रूप से अत्यंत असहज हो जाती है और वह महीने भर के लिए कंगाल हो जाता है।

कहानी के अंत में लेखक मज़ाकिया अंदाज़ में बताता है कि उसकी ‘बदला’ मिल गया — वह महिला अब इक्कीस स्टोन (लगभग 133 किलोग्राम) की हो गई है।

Understanding the Story

A. Tick (✓) the correct answers from the options given below.

1. ‘Did I remember?’ The narrator means that—

(i) he did not remember.

(ii) he could not forget.

(iii) he was not sure.

Answer – (ii) he could not forget.

2. The narrator is by profession—

(i) a writer.

(ii) a musician.

(iii) an artist.

Answer – (i) a writer.

3. He had never been to Foyot’s before because—

(i) it was meant only for the French senators.

(ii) it was very expensive.

(iii) he had not heard of it.

Answer – (ii) it was very expensive.

4. He did not order champagne for himself because—

(i) he did not like it.

(ii) his doctor had forbidden him to drink it.

(iii) he could not afford it.

Answer – (iii) he could not afford it.

5. He did not give an adequate tip to the waiter because

(i) he did not believe in giving tips.

(ii) he was miserly.

(iii) he had no more money.

Answer – (iii) he had no more money.

B. Give two pieces of evidence from the story to justify each of the following statements.

1. The narrator was still a struggling writer.

Answer – He says, “I was earning barely enough money to keep body and soul together.”

He had never been to Foyot’s before because it was too expensive for him.

2. He promptly said ‘yes’ to the woman’s proposal for lunch

Answer – He was flattered by her admiration for his writing.

He writes, “I was too young to have learned to say no to a woman.”

3. The woman did not approve of the narrator’s choice of at eating meat.

Answer – She said, “I never eat anything for luncheon,” and then criticized his choice by calling meat “a heavy and disgusting meal.”

She remarked, “You see, you’re in the habit of eating meat, which I don’t believe is very good for you.”

4. The narrator planned ways to face a bill beyond his means.

Answer – He feared he might not have enough money to pay and considered the possibility of running away.

He also thought about pawning his watch if needed.

5. The asparagus were tempting and difficult to resist.

Answer – The narrator notes how the woman “reached out her hand and took one” despite earlier saying she never ate a large luncheon.

The woman commented, “I’m not in the least hungry, but I can’t possibly resist the asparagus.”

6. The narrator was shocked to see the head waiter carry a basket full of peaches.

Answer – He had already spent all his money and was praying that she would not order anything else.

He writes, “My heart sank. I could not help showing my dismay.”

C. Answer the following questions in about 30 words each.

1. How did the woman know the narrator? Why did she want to meet him?

Answer – The woman had read a book by the narrator and wrote to him. She wanted to meet him to discuss his work and have a luncheon while passing through Paris.

2. What impression did the narrator gather of the woman when he met her?

Answer – The narrator was surprised to find the woman was no longer young and was not as attractive as he had expected. She was talkative and quite different from his imagination.

3. Why was the narrator panic-stricken while they were waiting for the asparagus to be cooked?

Answer – The narrator was terrified because the bill had already exceeded his means, and he feared that he would not have enough money to pay, leaving him embarrassed.

4. Why did the narrator order coffee for himself also?

Answer – The narrator ordered coffee for himself to appear hospitable and to avoid standing out when his guest ordered ice cream and coffee. He was also trying to keep the situation normal.

5. What is the waiter’s contribution in allowing the woman to have a gorgeous meal?

Answer – The waiter contributed by reassuring the narrator that they had salmon, caviar, and asparagus, all of which were not originally part of the menu but were ordered at the woman’s request.

HOTS

1. The narrator’s meeting with the woman begins with his being flattered and hospitable and ends with being mortified and disgusted. Discuss his different states of mind.

Answer – At the beginning of the luncheon, the narrator feels flattered by the woman’s attention and is eager to impress her. His hospitable nature leads him to accommodate her extravagant requests despite his financial struggles. However, as the meal progresses and the costs rise, he becomes increasingly anxious, mortified by his inability to afford the bill, and disgusted by the woman’s hypocritical attitude and disregard for his discomfort. The shift from flattery to embarrassment highlights the contrast between his initial excitement and later frustration.

1. The woman calls the narrator ‘a humourist’. Who do you think actually contributes to the humour in the story? How?

Answer – The true contributor to the humour in the story is the woman herself. Her absurdly contradictory behaviour, where she claims to eat little but orders extravagant meals, is both ironic and humourous. The narrator’s reactions, trying to maintain politeness and hospitality despite his growing discomfort, also add to the comedy. The irony of her statements and her self-centred attitude makes the reader laugh at the absurdity of the situation, turning her into the source of the humour.

life Skills

If you come across such a guest at home, how will you behave?

Answer – If I were to encounter such a guest, I would try to maintain a polite and courteous attitude while also being mindful of my own budget and comfort. I would gently steer the conversation to less extravagant choices, trying to accommodate the guest’s preferences while ensuring that my own financial limitations are respected. I would prioritize a pleasant atmosphere, focusing on the experience rather than the meal, and ensure that I don’t compromise my own well-being for the sake of impressing the guest.

Values

1. Observe the following remarks made by the woman during the luncheon.

‘I never eat anything for luncheon.

‘I never drink anything for luncheon.’

‘I never eat more than one thing for luncheon.’

Discuss these statements in the light of her behaviour during the luncheon.

Answer – The woman’s statements are hypocritical, as she claims to have minimal appetite and a strict diet but then indulges in caviar, salmon, asparagus, and champagne. These remarks reflect her self-centered nature, trying to project herself as someone of high standards and health consciousness, while in reality, she orders extravagant meals without any concern for the narrator’s budget or well-being. The irony in her behaviour adds a layer of humour and reveals her lack of consideration for others.

1. Was the woman considerate or self-centred?

Answer – The woman was self-centred. She disregarded the narrator’s financial limitations and was inconsiderate of his discomfort during the luncheon. Her self-absorption in ordering expensive items while pretending to be on a strict diet reveals her lack of empathy for the narrator’s situation. Instead of engaging in a balanced and considerate interaction, she prioritizes her own desires and pretensions, leaving the narrator to bear the consequences.

Writing Skills

Imagine that you are the narrator.

(a) Write a diary entry expressing your plans on how you hope to manage the budget of the entire month.

Answer – Dear Diary,

Today, I realized how tight my budget is for the upcoming month. With only a few francs left, I plan to carefully manage my expenses. I’ll cut out luxuries like dining out and stick to simple meals at home. I’ll avoid any unnecessary purchases and save up for the essentials. I’ll also make sure to track every penny spent to ensure I don’t overspend. Despite the challenges, I hope I can make it through the month without any financial embarrassment.

Wish me luck!

Yours truly,

(b) Write a diary entry expressing your satisfaction on observing the woman put on a lot of weight in the second meeting.

Answer – Dear Diary,

I had an unexpected encounter today with the woman from the luncheon. To my surprise, she had gained a lot of weight! I couldn’t help but feel a sense of satisfaction. Perhaps it’s a bit mean-spirited, but after her extravagant behaviour during our lunch, I couldn’t resist the feeling that she got what she deserved. Her pretentiousness about eating so little seemed ridiculous now that I saw the result of her indulgence. It felt like a small victory for me.

Yours truly,

Additional Questions and Answers

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and Answers

1. Where did the narrator first catch sight of the woman in the story?
2. a) At a restaurant
3. b) At a play
4. c) In Paris
5. d) At a bookstore

Answer: b) At a play

2. How many years had passed since the narrator last saw the woman?
3. a) Ten years
4. b) Fifteen years
5. c) Twenty years
6. d) Twenty-five years

Answer: c) Twenty years

3. Where was the narrator living twenty years ago when he met the woman?
4. a) London
5. b) Paris
6. c) New York
7. d) Rome

Answer: b) Paris

4. What was the name of the restaurant where the narrator took the woman for luncheon?
5. a) Foyot’s
6. b) The Ritz
7. c) Café de Paris
8. d) La Tour d’Argent

Answer: a) Foyot’s

5. Why was Foyot’s beyond the narrator’s means?
6. a) It was too far away
7. b) It was a place where French senators ate
8. c) It only served meat
9. d) It was closed on Thursdays

Answer: b) It was a place where French senators ate

6. How much money did the narrator have to last the rest of the month?
7. a) Fifty francs
8. b) Eighty francs
9. c) One hundred francs
10. d) Twenty francs

Answer: b) Eighty francs

7. What did the narrator estimate a modest luncheon would cost?
8. a) Ten francs
9. b) Fifteen francs
10. c) Twenty francs
11. d) Thirty francs

Answer: b) Fifteen francs

8. How old was the woman when the narrator met her for luncheon?
9. a) Thirty
10. b) Thirty-five
11. c) Forty
12. d) Forty-five

Answer: c) Forty

9. What was the first expensive item the woman ordered at Foyot’s?
10. a) Salmon
11. b) Caviare
12. c) Asparagus
13. d) Champagne

Answer: b) Caviare

10. What did the narrator order for himself to keep costs low?
11. a) A salad
12. b) A mutton chop
13. c) Bread and butter
14. d) Soup

Answer: b) A mutton chop

11. What drink did the woman insist on having despite her claims of not drinking at luncheon?
12. a) Water
13. b) White wine
14. c) Champagne
15. d) Red wine

Answer: c) Champagne

12. What did the narrator drink during the luncheon?
13. a) Champagne
14. b) White wine
15. c) Water
16. d) Coffee

Answer: c) Water

13. What expensive vegetable did the woman order after the salmon?
14. a) Peas
15. b) Giant asparagus
16. c) Carrots
17. d) Potatoes

Answer: b) Giant asparagus

14. What did the woman order after finishing the asparagus?
15. a) More asparagus
16. b) Ice-cream and coffee
17. c) Another glass of champagne
18. d) A mutton chop

Answer: b) Ice-cream and coffee

15. What unexpected item did the woman take while waiting for the coffee?
16. a) A peach
17. b) A slice of bread
18. c) More caviare
19. d) A glass of water

Answer: a) A peach

16. How much money did the narrator have left after paying the bill?
17. a) Ten francs
18. b) Five francs
19. c) Enough for a small tip
20. d) Nothing

Answer: d) Nothing

17. What did the woman think of the narrator’s tip to the waiter?
18. a) She thought it was generous
19. b) She thought it was mean
20. c) She didn’t notice
21. d) She paid the tip herself

Answer: b) She thought it was mean

18. What did the narrator plan to do if he couldn’t pay the bill?
19. a) Borrow money from the woman
20. b) Leave his watch and return later
21. c) Run out of the restaurant
22. d) Ask the waiter for a discount

Answer: b) Leave his watch and return later

19. What did the narrator say he would do for dinner that night?
20. a) Eat a big meal
21. b) Eat nothing
22. c) Have a mutton chop
23. d) Drink champagne

Answer: b) Eat nothing

20. What is the woman’s weight at the end of the story?
21. a) Fifteen stone
22. b) Eighteen stone
23. c) Twenty-one stone
24. d) Twenty-five stone

Answer: c) Twenty-one stone

Short Questions and Answers

1. Question: Where did the narrator first see the woman in the story?

Answer: At a play.

2. Question: How many years had passed since the narrator last saw the woman?

Answer: Twenty years.

3. Question: Where was the narrator living twenty years ago?

Answer: Paris.

4. Question: What was the name of the restaurant they went to?

Answer: Foyot’s.

5. Question: Why was Foyot’s beyond the narrator’s means?

Answer: It was where French senators ate.

6. Question: How much money did the narrator have for the month?

Answer: Eighty francs.

7. Question: What did the narrator estimate for a modest luncheon?

Answer: Fifteen francs.

8. Question: How old was the woman during the luncheon?

Answer: Forty.

9. Question: What was the first expensive item the woman ordered?

Answer: Caviare.

10. Question: What did the narrator order for himself?

Answer: A mutton chop.

11. Question: What drink did the woman order?

Answer: Champagne.

12. Question: What did the narrator drink during the luncheon?

Answer: Water.

13. Question: What expensive vegetable did the woman order?

Answer: Giant asparagus.

14. Question: What did the woman order after the asparagus?

Answer: Ice-cream and coffee.

15. Question: What unexpected item did the woman take?

Answer: A peach.

16. Question: How much money did the narrator have after paying?

Answer: Nothing.

17. Question: What did the woman think of the narrator’s tip?

Answer: She thought it was mean.

18. Question: What was the narrator’s backup plan if he couldn’t pay?

Answer: Leave his watch and return later.

19. Question: What did the narrator say about dinner that night?

Answer: He would eat nothing.

20. Question: What is the woman’s weight at the story’s end?

Answer: Twenty-one stone.

Competency-Based Questions (Reasoning and Assertion) and Answers

1. Question:

   Assertion (A): The narrator agreed to the luncheon despite his limited funds. 

   Reason (R): He was too young to say no to a woman and felt flattered by her invitation. 

1. a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
2. b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
3. c) A is true, but R is false.
4. d) A is false, but R is true.

Answer: a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A. 

   Explanation: The assertion is true as the narrator agreed to the luncheon despite having only eighty francs, as the story notes. The reason explains this by stating his youth and flattery—“I was flattered and I was too young to have learned to say no to a woman”—as the story describes, directly linking his decision to his inexperience and emotions.

2. Question:

   Assertion (A): The woman’s eating habits contradicted her claims during the luncheon. 

   Reason (R): She ordered multiple expensive items despite saying she only eats one thing. 

1. a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
2. b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
3. c) A is true, but R is false.
4. d) A is false, but R is true.

Answer: a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A. 

   Explanation: The assertion is true as the woman’s actions contradicted her claim—“I never eat more than one thing”—as the story notes. The reason explains this by detailing her orders of caviare, salmon, asparagus, and a peach, as the story describes, directly showing her inconsistency, as her additional ice-cream and coffee further confirm, supporting the assertion.

3. Question:

   Assertion (A): The narrator felt humiliated after the luncheon. 

   Reason (R): He had no money left and the woman thought his tip was mean. 

1. a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
2. b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
3. c) A is true, but R is false.
4. d) A is false, but R is true.

Answer: a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A. 

   Explanation: The assertion is true as the narrator felt humiliated, evident in his concern about borrowing from his guest and his reaction to the tip, as the story notes. The reason explains this by stating he had no money left—“not a penny in my pocket”—and the woman’s glance at the tip—“she thought me mean”—as the story describes, directly linking his humiliation to his financial state and her judgment.

4. Question:

   Assertion (A): The narrator’s revenge on the woman was ironic. 

   Reason (R): She gained significant weight despite her advice to eat lightly. 

1. a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
2. b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
3. c) A is true, but R is false.
4. d) A is false, but R is true.

Answer: a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A. 

   Explanation: The assertion is true as the narrator’s revenge—“I have had my revenge at last”—is ironic, as the story concludes. The reason explains this by noting her weight gain to “twenty-one stone,” despite her advice—“never eat more than one thing”—as the story highlights, directly showing the irony of her situation, as her hypocrisy is exposed, supporting the assertion.

5. Question:

   Assertion (A): The narrator was anxious during the luncheon about the bill. 

   Reason (R): He feared the bill would exceed his remaining money, leaving him unable to pay. 

1. a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
2. b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
3. c) A is true, but R is false.
4. d) A is false, but R is true.

Answer: a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A. 

   Explanation: The assertion is true as the narrator was anxious—“panic seized me”—about the bill, as the story notes. The reason explains this by detailing his fear—“whether I had enough to pay the bill”—as the story states, directly linking his anxiety to the potential shortfall, as his plan to leave his watch further confirms, supporting the assertion.

Long Questions and Answers (80-90 words)

1. Question: How does the narrator’s financial struggle shape the narrative, and what does it reveal about his character?

Answer: The narrator’s financial struggle, with only eighty francs for the month, as the story notes, shapes the narrative by creating tension, as his anxiety over the bill—“panic seized me”—reveals, driving the humour and irony, as his plan to leave his watch shows. This struggle highlights his inexperience and naivety, as “I was too young to have learned to say no” indicates, reflecting a character torn between pride and practicality, as his modest mutton chop order and final retort—“I’ll eat nothing for dinner”—demonstrate, showcasing his resilience despite humiliation, as the story concludes.

2. Question: Discuss the role of irony in the story, particularly in the woman’s behaviour and the narrator’s revenge.

Answer: Irony permeates the story through the woman’s behaviour and the narrator’s revenge, as the narrative illustrates. She claims, “I never eat more than one thing,” yet orders caviare, salmon, asparagus, and a peach, as the story details, ironically contradicting her advice, as her ice-cream and coffee order shows. The narrator’s revenge—“she weighs twenty-one stone”—is ironic, as her weight gain defies her earlier preaching, as the story concludes, highlighting her hypocrisy, as “Follow my example” becomes a bitter jest, underscoring the story’s satirical tone on social pretensions, as Maugham often explores.

3. Question: Analyse the woman’s character and how her actions reflect her lack of empathy towards the narrator’s situation.

Answer: The woman’s character is marked by self-absorption and a lack of empathy, as her actions show, ignoring the narrator’s financial plight, as the story illustrates. She orders expensive items—caviare, champagne, asparagus—despite knowing Foyot’s exclusivity, as “I never eat more than one thing” falsely reassures, as the story notes, showing her disregard for his budget, as his eighty francs limit indicates. Her critique of his mutton chop and small tip—“she thought me mean”—further reveals her insensitivity, as the story describes, painting her as oblivious and entitled, as her final “Humourist!” dismissal underscores, reflecting her lack of awareness.

4. Question: How does the setting of Foyot’s contribute to the story’s conflict, and what does it symbolize in the context of the narrator’s experience?

Answer: Foyot’s, a restaurant for French senators, as the story notes, heightens the conflict by amplifying the narrator’s financial strain, as its exorbitant prices—caviare, champagne, asparagus—exceed his eighty francs, as the story details, causing panic, as “whether I had enough to pay the bill” shows. It symbolizes the disparity between the narrator’s modest means and the woman’s extravagance, as “so far beyond my means” indicates, reflecting social class tensions, as the story illustrates, and his humiliation, as the inadequate tip reveals, underscoring the pressures of societal expectations, as Maugham critiques through the narrator’s ordeal.

5. Question: Explore the theme of social pretension in the story and how the woman’s behaviour exemplifies this theme.

Answer: Social pretension is a key theme, exemplified by the woman’s behaviour, as the story illustrates, critiquing superficiality, as Maugham often does. Her claim—“I never eat more than one thing”—contrasts with her lavish orders of caviare, salmon, and champagne, as the story notes, revealing her pretense of restraint, as her asparagus and peach indulgence shows, projecting an image of sophistication, as “wonderful for the digestion” implies. Her final judgment—“she thought me mean”—further highlights her focus on appearances, as the story describes, exposing her shallow nature, as the narrator’s ironic revenge underscores, critiquing the emptiness of social facades.

6. Question: Discuss the narrator’s emotional journey during the luncheon and how it reflects his growth by the story’s end.

Answer: The narrator’s emotional journey evolves from flattery to panic and finally to bitter humour, reflecting growth, as the story illustrates. Initially flattered—“I was flattered”—he agrees to the luncheon, as the story notes, but panic sets in—“panic seized me”—as the bill mounts with caviare and asparagus, as the story details, revealing his inexperience, as “too young to say no” shows. By the end, his retort—“I’ll eat nothing for dinner”—and revenge—“she weighs twenty-one stone”—as the story concludes, show a shift to wry acceptance, indicating maturity in handling humiliation, as his ironic tone suggests, marking his emotional growth.

7. Question: How does Maugham use humour to highlight the absurdity of the situation during the luncheon, and what effect does this have on the reader?

Answer: Maugham uses humour to highlight the absurdity of the luncheon, as the woman’s claims—“I never eat more than one thing”—clash with her lavish orders of caviare, salmon, and asparagus, as the story notes, creating a comedic contrast, as her peach indulgence adds to the farce, as the story describes. The narrator’s escalating panic—“panic seized me”—and dramatic plan to leave his watch, as the story illustrates, further amplify the humour, engaging the reader with its absurdity, as his final quip—“I’ll eat nothing for dinner”—evokes a mix of sympathy and amusement, enhancing the story’s satirical impact, as Maugham intends.

8. Question: Examine the significance of the woman’s final comment, “Humourist!” and how it reflects her misunderstanding of the narrator’s situation.

Answer: The woman’s final comment, “Humourist!” as the story concludes, underscores her misunderstanding of the narrator’s dire situation, as her cheerful dismissal—“jumping into a cab”—shows, reflecting her obliviousness, as the story illustrates. The narrator’s retort—“I’ll eat nothing for dinner”—is a desperate truth, as his empty pocket indicates, yet she interprets it as a jest, as “You’re quite a humourist!” reveals, highlighting her lack of empathy, as her earlier orders of caviar and champagne ignored his struggle, as the story notes, emphasizing her superficial nature, as Maugham critiques, deepening the irony of their interaction and her self-absorption.