polite The lunch begins with her gentle lie The Lady Claims nbsp I never eat anything for luncheon The writer feels safe for a moment But this is actually the real beginning of the lunch drama Salmon and Caviar The Lady again says I never eat more than one thing But soon she asks for salmon even though salmon is not in season She says A little fish perhaps I wonder if they have any salmon The waiter proudly says they have a fresh one The writer orders it He chooses the cheapest mutton chop for himself Then she quietly adds I never mind caviar The writer s heart sinks But he orders the expensive caviar for her The lunch bill rises sharply Champagne nbsp Next comes the drink She says I never drink anything for luncheon Then immediately adds Except white wine A moment later she says My doctor won t let me drink anything but champagne The writer turns pale But he orders half a bottle He drinks only water The lady enjoys everything without shame Giant Asparagus After eating salmon and caviar she again says she eats only one thing Then she asks for giant asparagus The narrator says they were horribly expensive He orders them with a trembling heart The smell of melted butter increases his pain She eats them happily while talking of art music and literature Ice Cream Coffee and The Peach nbsp When he asks Coffee she answers Yes just an ice-cream and coffee The writer is now helpless He orders both Then the head waiter brings a basket of huge peaches They are not in season They are extremely costly She absent-mindedly takes one This is the final blow The Bill When the bill comes the writer pays it with great difficulty He has only enough left for a very small tip The lady sees the three-franc tip and thinks he is mean She gives him advice Never eat more than one thing for luncheon The writer replies I shall eat nothing for dinner tonight She laughs and calls him Humorist and leaves in a cab The writer walks out with not a penny in his pocket The lunch at Foyot s becomes a nightmare for the young writer The lady eats richly The writer pays painfully The lunch exposes greed behind soft manners It shows how simple politeness can be punished and how selfish people enjoy luxury while others silently suffer