The Luncheon

Short Story | W. Somerset Maugham
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How Did the Writer Have his Revenge on the Lady Quest at Last?

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How did the writer have his revenge on the lady guest at last?

Or, "But I have had my revenge at last" - Elucidate with reference. 

In W. Somerset Maugham’s short story (1874-1965) “The Luncheon” (1981), the author humorously recounts his encounter with a lady at a lunch. The lady claimed to eat modestly but ended up ordering a lavish meal at the author’s expense. However, the author got his revenge in the end, which he describes with humor and satisfaction.

I Never Eat More than One Thing: During their luncheon, the lady repeatedly assured the writer, "I never eat more than one thing for luncheon," yet she ordered expensive items like caviar, salmon, champagne, and asparagus. The author had to pay for these expensive meals, despite his financial hardships. He had only eighty francs to last the month. He had to sacrifice his savings and went penniless after the meal. Despite th

e lady’s insensitivity, the author maintained his composure.

Twenty Years Later: However, twenty years later, fate seemed to deliver justice. The author saw the lady again and noted that she now weighed 133 kilograms. The irony was striking—this woman, who had once lectured him on eating habits and pretended to eat lightly, had become extremely overweight. The author found solace in this unexpected turn of events. He views it as divine punishment.

Reflecting on the experience, the author remarks,

But I have had my revenge at last. I do not believe that I am a vindictive man, but when the immortal gods take a hand in the matter it is pardonable to observe the result with complacency.

In short, through this humorous and ironic "revenge," Maugham highlights how life often delivers poetic justice.

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W. Somerset Maugham
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from The Luncheon