Chapter 7 seven lunch

I saw her at the theater.She beckoned to me, and I walked over during the intermission and sat down next to her.It's been a long time since I last saw her, and if someone hadn't mentioned her name, I don't think I would have recognized her this time.She chatted with me cheerfully: Oh, it's been years since I saw you, how time flies!We are not young anymore.Do you remember when we first met?You invited me to lunch! How could I not remember. That was twenty years ago, when I was a sojourner in Paris.I rented a small apartment in the Latin Quarter, and the window overlooked the churchyard.My income is just enough to keep my soul and body together.She read a book I had written, wrote me a letter talking about it, and I wrote back to say thank you.Not long after, I received another letter from her, saying that she was passing through Paris and wanted to talk to me; but her time was limited, so she could only find some free time next Thursday. In the morning, she would go to the Luxembourg Gardens and ask Would I like to treat her to a light meal at Foyo's at noon?Foyo is a restaurant frequented by French parliamentarians.It is far beyond my financial ability, so I never dare to care about it.But the compliment in her letter made me feel pretty good, and I was too young to say no to a lady. (I might add that very few men learn to reject women. They are too old when they learn to think little of what women say.) I have eighty francs (gold) to last till the end of the month. s expenses.A light meal will not exceed fifteen francs.If I don't drink coffee for the second half of the month, I think I can handle it.

I wrote back and made an appointment with my friend to meet at Fuyo Restaurant at 12:30 noon on Thursday.She is not as young as I thought.Her appearance is not so much charming as she is rich and burly.She was actually forty years old (a deceptive age, but it's not enough to make you fall in love at first sight and fall in love at first sight.), and she gave me the impression that she had more teeth than she really needed, Neat, white, larger than average.She was chatty, but since she seemed inclined to talk about me, I had to listen. I was taken aback when the menu was brought out, the price was much more expensive than I expected.But what she said reassured me.

I never eat anything for lunch.she says. Oh, don't say that!I answer generously. I can only eat one dish at most.I feel like people are eating way too much these days.Maybe I could have some fish, don't know if there's any salmon? It's a little early for salmon season and it's not listed on the menu.But I still asked the waiter.Yes, just got a prime salmon, the first they've had this year.I ordered one for my guest.The waiter asked her if she wanted something else to eat while she waited for the salmon to cook. No, she replied, I would have at most one dish for lunch.But if you have caviar, I have no objection to having some caviar.

My heart sank slightly, I knew I couldn't afford caviar, but I couldn't explain it to her, so I ordered the waiter to get some caviar anyway.I picked out for myself one of the cheapest dishes on the menu, a lamb chop. I don't think it's wise for you to eat meat, she said, and I don't know how you can work after eating something greasy like lamb chops.I can't overload my stomach. After this came the issue of drinks. I never drink at lunch.she says. I don't drink either.I can't wait to add a sentence. Except white wine, she went on, as if she hadn't heard what I just said, French white wine is light, delicious, and digestive.

What would you like to drink?I still asked courteously, but not so flattering anymore. Her white teeth flashed and she gave me a gracious smile. My doctor absolutely forbids me to drink anything other than champagne. I think my face must have turned a little pale then.I ordered a half bottle of champagne and said in a nonchalant tone that my doctor would not allow me to drink champagne. So, what do you drink? boiled water. She ate the caviar and then the salmon.She chatted and laughed about art, literature and music.But I kept wondering how much the bills would add up to.When my lamb chops were served, she gave me a very serious lecture.

I can see that you have been eating too much for lunch, which must be bad for your health.Why don't you follow me and only eat one dish?I'm sure it will be of great benefit to you. I am indeed prepared to eat only this one dish.I said.At this moment the waiter came again with menus. She dismissed him with a wave of her hand. No, no, I never eat anything for lunch, and only a little bit.Even if this is eaten, it is nothing more than to entertain the conversation and has no other purpose.I can't eat anything more, except some big asparagus.It would be a pity to visit Paris this time without trying asparagus.

When I heard it, my heart went cold.I've seen asparagus in the window, and I know it's expensive as hell.My mouth often salivates from seeing them too. Madame was wondering if you have any asparagus?I asked the waiter. I was sweating and wished he would say no, but a happy smile crossed the waiter's priestly face.He assured me that the asparagus in their store was big, tender, and fresh like no other. I'm not hungry at all, sighed my visitor, but I don't mind eating a little if you insist. I ordered an asparagus. Don't you want to come a little yourself? No, I never eat asparagus.

I know some people don't like asparagus.The truth is that all the meat you eat spoils your appetite. We waited for the asparagus.I was terrified.It's no longer a question of how much money I have left over to live on, but whether I have enough money to pay the bills.It would be very humiliating to find yourself ten francs short and have to open your mouth to a visitor.No matter what I say, I can't make such a fool.I knew exactly how much money I had, and if it wasn't enough to pay the bill, I made up my mind to put my hands in my pockets, yelled dramatically, and jumped up to say that I had been picked up by a pickpocket.Of course, it would be an extremely embarrassing scene if she didn't have enough money to pay the bill either.In that case, the only recourse is to keep my watch as collateral, to be redeemed later.

The asparagus arrived, big and fragrant, really appetizing.The scent of its melted cream tickles my nostrils as God tickles His nostrils when he smells the roasted offerings of devout Hebrews.While watching this indulgent woman stuffing asparagus down her throat, I talked politely about the state of the theater scene in the Balkans.She finally finished eating. Would you like coffee?I asked. Well, just a coffee with ice cream will do.she answered. Now that I've gone all out, I simply ordered a cup of black coffee for myself and an ice cream coffee for her. You know, I have a strong belief, she said while eating ice cream, when eating alone, you only need to eat eight or nine percent full.

Are you still hungry?I asked listlessly. Oh, not hungry; you see, I never eat lunch.I drink a cup of coffee in the morning and then have dinner.I eat at most one dish for lunch and never eat more.I am also advising you. It is true that I will follow your advice. Then, a terrible thing happened.While we were drinking coffee, the head waiter came towards us with a flattering smile, with a basket full of big peaches on his arm, each of them was as red as the face of a young girl, and the color tone was like a gorgeous Italian landscape painting .Peaches are definitely not in season yet.God only knows how much it costs.I also figured it out after a while, because my guest absentmindedly picked one up while continuing to talk.

You see, you've stuffed your stomach with meat, she means my poor lamb chop, you can't eat anything.And I just ate a little like a snack, and I could enjoy a peach. The bill came and after paying I found out that there was not enough money left for a decent tip.Her eyes lingered for a moment on the three francs I had left for the waiter, and I knew she must think me stingy.But I walked out of the restaurant with nothing in my pocket, and I didn't know what to do with the rest of the month. Do like me, she said, as we shook hands and said goodbye, never eat one dish for lunch. I can do better, I replied loudly, I will have nothing for dinner tonight. Terrific humorist!She yelled happily and hopped into a cab, you have a great sense of humor! But I finally got my revenge.I don't think I'm a vengeful person, but when the Immortal God intervenes in this matter, you can be forgiven for seeing the result secretly. Right now, she weighs a whopping two hundred and ninety-four pounds!