“I never eat anything for luncheon.” (The Woman)

Explanation: The woman claims she eats nothing for lunch, but throughout the meal, she keeps ordering the most expensive dishes. This line immediately shows her hypocrisy and begins the comic tension of the story.

“I never eat more than one thing.” (The Woman)

Explanation: The woman repeatedly says this to appear simple and modest. But soon she orders salmon, caviar, asparagus, ice cream, and a peach. Her words and actions do not match. This line shows her hypocrisy and the beginning of her false modesty.

“A little fish, perhaps. I wonder if they have any salmon." (The Woman)

Explanation: Right after claiming she eats nothing for lunch, the woman gently asks for salmon. Salmon is expensive and not in season. Her polite tone hides her greed. This line shows how she cleverly begins to increase the bill for the young writer.

“Unless you had a little caviar. I never mind caviar.” (The Woman)

Explanation: Caviar is extremely expensive, yet she pretends it is a small, harmless item. This increases the writer’s panic about the bill.

“I never drink anything for luncheon.” (The Woman)

Explanation: She says this to assure the writer that the lunch will be cheap. But immediately she adds exceptions like white wine and champagne. The line reveals her manipulative nature and creates irony.

“My doctor won’t let me drink anything but champagne.” (The Woman)

Explanation: This line shows her use of excuses. She pretends it is for her health, but she is actually choosing the most expensive drink.

“I am only going to eat one thing.” (Narrator)

Explanation: The narrator reminds her politely that he will eat only one simple item. But the woman continues eating multiple rich dishes. This contrast adds humor and sympathy for the narrator.

“Never eat more than one thing for luncheon.” (The Woman)

Explanation: After eating salmon, caviar, asparagus, ice cream, and even a peach, the woman gives this advice to the young writer. It is highly ironic. She herself eats the most expensive items, yet she lectures him about eating less. This line exposes her pride, blindness, and complete hypocrisy.

“I shall eat nothing for dinner tonight.” (Narrator)

Explanation: The narrator says this truthfully because he has no money left. The woman thinks he is joking and calls him a humorist. This creates dramatic irony.

“But I have had my revenge at last.” (Narrator)

Explanation: The narrator reveals that years later, the woman has grown extremely overweight. This ironic twist becomes his soft, humorous revenge.