1、 A young man finds it very difficult to say no to a woman as a result he gets into trouble. The restaurant to which he has agreed to take his luncheon date is far too expensive for his small pocketbook. How, then, will he be able to avoid the embarrassing situation?THE LUNCHEONW. Somerset MaughamI c
2、aught sight of her at the play, and in answer to her beckoning I went over during the interval and sat down beside her. It was long since I had last seen her, and if someone had not mentioned her name I hardly think I would have recognised her. She addressed me brightly.“Well, its many years since w
3、e first met. How time does fly! Were none of us getting any younger. Do you remember the first time I saw you? You asked me to luncheon.“Did I remember?It was twenty years ago and I was living in Paris. I had a tiny apartment in the Latin Quarter overlooking a cemetery, and I was earning barely enou
4、gh money to keep body and soul together. She had read a book of mine and had written to me about it. I answered, thanking her, and presently I received from her another letter saying that she was passing through Paris and would like to have a chat with me; but her time was limited, and the only free
5、 moment she had was on the following Thursday; she was spending the morning at the Luxembourg and would I give her a little luncheon at Foyots afterwards? Foyots is a restaurant at which the French senators eat, and it was so far beyond my means that I had never even thought of going there. But I wa
6、s flattered, and I was too young to have learned to say no to a woman. (Few men, I may add, learn this until they are too old to make it of any consequence to a woman what they say.) I had eight francs (gold francs) to last me the rest of the month, and a modest luncheon should not cost more than fi
7、fteen. If I cut out coffee for the next two weeks I could manage well enough.I answered that I would meet my friend - by correspondence - at Foyots on Thursday at half past twelve. She was not so young as I expected and in appearance imposing rather than attractive, she was, in fact, a woman of fort
8、y (a charming age, but not one that excites a sudden and devastating passion at first sight), and she gave me the impression of having more teeth, white and large and even, than were necessary for any practical purpose. She was talkative, but since she seemed inclined to talk about me I was prepared
9、 to be an attentive listener.I was startled when the bill of fare was brought, for the prices were a great deal higher than I had anticipated. But she reassured me.“I never eat anything for luncheon,“ She said.“Oh, dont say that!“ I answered generously.“I never eat more than one thing. I think peopl
10、e eat far too much nowadays. A little fish, perhaps. I wonder if they have any salmon.Well, it was early in the year for salmon and it was not on the bill of fare, but I asked the waiter if there was any. Yes, a beautiful salmon had just come in, it was the first they had had. I ordered it for my gu
11、est. The waiter asked her if she would have something while it was being cooked.“No,“ she answered, “I never eat more than one thing. Unless you have a little caviare (鱼子酱). I never mind caviare.“My heart sank a little. I knew I could not afford caviare, but I could not very well tell her that. I to
12、ld the waiter by all means to bring caviare. For myself I chose the cheapest dish on the menu and that was a mutton chop.“ I think you are unwise to eat meat,“ she said. “ I dont know how you can expect to work after eating heavy things like chops. I dont believe in overloading my stomach.“Then came
13、 the question of drink.“I never drink anything for luncheon,“ she said.“Neither do I,“ I answered promptly.“Except whiter wine,“ she proceeded as though I had not spoken. “These French white wines are so light. Theyre wonderful for the digestion.“What would you like?“ I asked, hospitable still, but
14、not exactly effusive.She gave me a bright and amicable flash of her white teeth.“My doctor wont let me drink anything but champagne.“I fancy I turned a trifle pale. I ordered half a bottle. I mentioned casually that my doctor had absolutely forbidden me to drink champagne.“What are you going to drin
15、k, then?“Water.“She ate the caviare and she ate the salmon. She talked gaily of art and literature and music. But I wondered what the bill would come to. When my mutton chop arrived she took me quite seriously to task.“I see that youre in the habit of eating a heavy luncheon. Im sure its a mistake.
16、Why dont you follow my example and just eat one thing? Im sure youd feel ever so much better for it.“I am only going to eat one thing.“ I said, as the waiter came again with the bill of fare.She waved him aside with an airy gesture.“No, no, I never eat anything for luncheon. Just a bite, I never wan
17、t more than that, and I eat that more as an excuse for conversation than anything else. I couldnt possibly eat anything more unless they had some of those giant asparagus. I should be sorry to leave Paris without having some of them.“My heart sank. I had seen them in the shops, and I knew that they
18、were horribly expensive. My mouth had often watered at the sight of them.“Madame wants to know if you have any of those giant asparagus,“ I asked the waiter.I tried with all my might too will him to say no. A happy smile spread over his broad, pries-like face, and he assured me that they had some so
19、 large, so splendid, so tender, that it was a marvel.“Im not in the least hungry,“ my guest sighed, “but if you insist I dont mind having some asparagus.“I ordered them.“Arent you going to have any?“No, I never eat asparagus.“I know there are people who dont like them. The fact is, you ruin your tas
20、te by all the meat you eat.“We waited for the asparagus to be cooked. Panic seized me. It was not a question now how much money I should have left over for the rest of the month, but whether I had enough to pay the bill. It would be embarrassing to find myself ten francs short and be obliged to borr
21、ow from my guest. I could not bring myself to do that. I knew exactly how much I had, and if the bill came to more I made up my mind that I would put my hand in my pocket and with a dramatic cry start up and say it had been picked. Of course, it would be awkward if she had not money enough either to
22、 pay the bill. Then the only thing would be to leave my watch and say I would come back and pay later.The asparagus appeared. They were enormous, juicy, and appetising. I watched the wicked woman thrust them down her throat in large mouthfuls, and in my polite way I spoke about the condition of the
23、drama in the Balkans. At last the finished.“Coffee?“ I said.“Yes, just an ice-cream and coffee,“ she answered.I was past caring now, so I ordered coffee for myself and an ice-cream and coffee for her.“You know, theres one thing I thoroughly believe in,“ she said, as she ate the ice-cream. “One shoul
24、d always get up from a meal feeling one could eat a little more.“Are you still hungry?“ I asked faintly.“Oh, no, Im not hungry; you see, I dont eat luncheon. I have a cup of coffee in the morning and then dinner, but I never eat more than one thing for luncheon. I was speaking for you.“Oh, I see!“Th
25、en a terrible thing happened. While we were waiting for the coffee the head waiter, with an ingratiating smile on his false face, came up to us bearing a large basket full of huge peaches. They had the blush of an innocent girl; they had the rich tone of an Italian landscape. But surely peaches were
26、 not in season then? Lord knew what they cost. I knew too - a little later, for my guest, going on with her conversation, absentmindedly took one.“You see, youve filled your stomach with a lot of meat“ - my one miserable little chop - “and you cant eat any more. But Ive just had a snack and I shall
27、enjoy a peach.“The bill came, and when I paid it I found that I had only enough for a quite inadequate tip. Her eyes rested for an instant on the three francs I left for the waiter, and I knew that she thought me mean. But when I walked out of the restaurant I had the whole month before me and not a
28、 penny in my pocket.“Follow my example,“ she said as we shook hands, “and never eat more than one thing for luncheon.“Ill do better than that,“ I retorted. “Ill eat nothing for dinner tonight.“Humorist!“ she cried gaily, jumping into a cab. “Youre quite a humorist!“But I have had my revenge at last.
29、 I do not believe that I am a vindictive man, but when the immortal gods take a hand in matter it is pardonable to observe the result with complacency. Today she weighs twenty-one stone.New Wordsluncheon n. fail to see or notice 俯视；忽略presently ad. soon; (AmE) at the present time 不久；（美）目前senator n. a
30、 member of a senate 参议员，上议员means n. money, income, or wealth, esp. large enough to afford all one needs 财富，资产modest a. not large in quantity, size, value, etc. 不太大的；适度的imposing a. impressive because of size, appearance, or dignity 仪表堂堂的；宏伟的charming a. very pleasing; fascinating 有魅力的devastating a. de
31、structive; causing ruin; sweeping everything before it 毁灭性的；压倒一切的passion n. strong feeling or enthusiasm, esp. of love or anger 激情talkative a. having the habit of talking a great deal; fond of talking 好说话的；健谈的inclined a. likely; tending(to); encouraged 有倾向的attentive a. listening carefully; doing act
32、s to satisfy the needs of another 专注的；体贴的，殷勤的startle vt. give a shock of surprise to; cause to move of jump 使吃惊，使惊跳fare n. food, esp. as provided at a meal 食物bill of fare a list of dishes; menu 菜单reassure vt. set a persons mind at rest 使安心salmon n. 鲑鱼mutton n. meat from a fully grown sheep 羊肉chop n.
33、 a small piece of meat with bone in it （连骨的）块肉overload vt. put too large a load on or in; overburden 使过载消化digestion n. 消化hospitable a. generous in the treatment of a guest 好客的effusive a. (of feelings, signs of pleasure, gratitude, etc.) pouring out too freely; too demonstrative or emotional 热情洋溢的；感情
34、（过多）流露的amicable a. friendly; peacefulflash n. a sudden, quick bright light; a sudden display 闪烁；闪现champagne n. 香槟洒fancy vt. suppose, imaginetrifle n. a thing, event, etc. of little value or importance 琐事gaily ad. in a happy and joyous mannerliterature n. 文学（作品）airy a. light-hearted; affected 轻盈的；做作的
35、bite n. piece cut off by bitingasparagus n. (sing. or pl.) 芦笋water vi. (of the eyes or mouth) fill with watery liquid, esp. tears or salivaMadame n. use as a title of respect for a woman (esp. a foreign married woman)夫人might n. power, strength, forcewill vt. influence or compel, by exercising the po
36、wer of the mind 以意志力使assure vt. tell firmly and with confidence esp. with the aim of removing doubt 保证；使确信tender a. delicate; not hard or difficult to bit through 柔弱的；柔嫩的marvel n. a wonderful thing. sth. causing great surprisesigh vi. let out a deep breath slowly and with a sound (indicating sadness
37、, tiredness, relief, etc.)叹气panic n. sudden, uncontrollable terror or anxiety 恐慌oblige vt. compel; require, bind (sb.) by a promise, oath, etc. 强迫，使不得不dramatic a. of drama; sudden or exciting, like an event in a stage playpick vt. stealjuicy a. having a lot of juice 多液汁的appetizing a. arousing or exc
38、iting the desire for food 引起食欲的，美味可口的wicked a. very bad, evil 邪恶的thrust vt. push suddenly or violently; make a forward stoke with a sword, knife, etc. 猛推；刺，戳throat n. 咽喉mouthful n. as much (food or drink) as fills the mouthingratiating a. making oneself very pleasant to sb. in order to gain favour 讨
39、好的，奉承的blush n. reddening of the face, from shame or confusioninnocent a. (of people) simple, not able to recognize evil; not guilty 天真的；无罪的landscape n. a wide view of natural scenery; a picture of such a scene 风景；风景画Lord n. God 上帝，主snack n. a small, usu. hurriedly eaten meal 小吃instant n. a moment of
40、 timemean a. ungenerous; unkind 吝啬的；刻薄的retort vt. make a quick, angry and often amusing answer 反驳humorist n. a person who makes jokes in speech or writing revenge n. 报仇，报复vt. 替报仇vindictive a. unforgiving; having or showing a desire for revengeimmortal a. living for ever 不朽的pardonable a. that can be
41、forgivencomplacency n. self-satisfaction 自鸣得意stone n. the British unit of weight equal to 14 pounds (6.35 kilos)Phrase experience 穿过；经历be beyond ones means: be more than one can afford 付不起cut out: leave out 停止使用，戒除be inclined to: be likely to; tend to 易于的；倾向于，想come in: become seasonable or available
42、 上市；有供应can/could not very well: can/could not reasonably 不好by all means: certainly; at all costs 一定；务必 come to: amount to 总计take (sb.) to task: criticize (sb.)申斥（某）人bring oneself to: make oneself (do); force oneself to 强迫自己start up: make a sudden movement due to surprise, alarm, pain, etc. 惊动，惊起in s
43、eason: available, fresh for use as food 正在当令之时take/have a hand in: be partly responsible for; share (an activity) 参加，介入Proper Namesthe Luxemb(o)urg: 卢森堡宫（巴黎）Foyot: 福伊约（巴黎一餐馆）the Balkans: 巴尔干半岛各国；巴尔干山脉Lord: God; Jesus Christ午餐作者：W撒莫塞特毛姆在剧院我看见了她，她在向我招手，于是在中途休息时我走过去，坐在她的旁边。自从上次我见到她到现在，已经过去好长时间了，并且如果没有人
44、提及她的名字，我几乎不会认为我已经认识她。她高兴地给我留下地址。“啊，我们第一次见面那是多少年前的事了。时间过得真是飞快！我们谁也不再年轻了。你还记得我第一次看见你的事吗？你邀请我吃午餐。“我记得吗？那是 20 年前，我住在巴黎。在拉丁区我有一间很小的房间，在那儿可以俯瞰墓地，并且我只能挣很少的钱，仅够维持我的生存。她读了我的一本书，给我写了一封关于它的信。我回信，感谢她，而且最近我收到她的另一封信，说她将经过巴黎，想与我聊聊。只是她的时间有限，空闲的时间是在下星期三，那天上午她在卢森堡度过，问我是否愿意在这之后能在福约特餐馆请她吃午饭。福约特是一家法国参议员在那吃饭的餐馆，它远远超过了我的收
45、入以至于我从不会想到在那儿吃饭。但我受到恭维，我还太年轻，还没有学会对一位妇女说不。 （少数男人，我补充一下，直到他们太老的时候才学会对一位妇女说不，但那时妇女们对于他们说什么已经不在意。 ）我有 80 法朗（金法朗）维持我这个月剩余的时间，并且中等的午餐花费应该不超过 15 法朗。如果我随后的两周不喝咖啡那我还能过得去。我回答说我愿意与我的朋友会面通过约定星期三 12 点半在福约特餐馆。她不是像我期待的那么年轻，外表看来比起有魅力更富态。她呢，事实上，是一位 40 岁的妇女（一个有魅力的年纪，但没有谁会第一眼就产生突然而剧烈的情感） ，而且她在我看来，有比在任何实际用途中必需的更多的牙齿，白
46、而大且平整。她是健谈的，但因为她似乎很乐于谈我，我准备做一位很好的听众。当价目表带来时我受到震动，因为价格比起我预期的要高得多。但她解救了我。“我午餐从不吃任何东西，“ 她说。“哦，别那样说！ “ 我慷慨地回答。“我只吃一样从不吃更多的东西。我认为如今的人们吃得太多。一点鱼，就可以了。我想知道他们是否有鲑鱼。“哦，今年吃鲑鱼还早了点，况且价目表上也没有这道菜，不过我还是询问侍者是否有任何鲑鱼。是呀，一条美丽的鲑鱼已经进来了，它是他们今年进的第一条。我为我的客人订下了这条。侍者询问她在烹饪鲑鱼时她还需要什么。“不，“ 她回答，“我只吃一样东西。除非你有一点鱼子酱。我从不拒绝鱼子酱。“我的心在轻轻
47、颤抖。我知道我负担不起鱼子酱，但我怎么也不能告诉她这点。我告诉侍者无论如何也要取鱼子酱来。但我在菜单上为自己选了最便宜的，那就是一份羊排。“我以为你不想吃肉， “ 她说。“我不知道你在吃了油腻食物比如羊排后会期待工作。我不相信你的胃受得了。“然后喝什么的问题来了。“我午餐从不喝任何东西，“ 她说。“我也不喝， “ 我赶紧回答。“除了葡萄酒， “ 她继续说，似乎我什么也没说。“这些法国葡萄酒是如此柔和。它们对消化很有益。“你喜欢什么？ “ 我询问，仍然慷慨地，但确实不再热情洋溢了。她给了我一个明亮而友好的笑，露出她的洁白牙齿。“我的大夫不让我饮任何东西除了香槟酒。“我想自己的脸变得苍白了一些。我
48、叫了半瓶。我说通常我的大夫绝对禁止我饮香槟酒。“那么你喝什么？ “水。“她吃鱼子酱，吃鲑鱼。她兴高采烈地谈及艺术、文学以及音乐。但我想知道帐单会来些什么。当我的羊排来了她责备了我。“我明白你习惯于吃油腻的午餐。我确信那是错的。你为什么不学我的样子只吃一样东西？我保证你会感觉更好些的。“我将仅仅吃一样东西，“ 我说，当侍者再次带着价目表来时。她用一种神气的手势示意他到身边。“不，不，我午餐从不吃任何东西。只是吃一点，我从不想吃更多的东西，我只是为了谈话的缘故才会吃得比别的时候多些。我不可能吃任何更多的东西除非他们有些那种大芦笋。如果没有些芦笋我将会遗憾地离开巴黎的。“我的心沉下去。我已经在商店里
49、看见它们，我知道它们是可怕的昂贵。当我看见它们时我的嘴流出了口水。“夫人想要知道你们是否有那些大芦笋，“ 我询问侍者。我试图用我全部的力量愿他说不。一种幸福的微笑在他那宽宽的像牧师的脸上漾开来，他向我保证他们有些如此大、如此出色、如此嫩的芦笋，它们是一种奇观。“我并不饿， “ 我的客人示意说， “但如果你坚持，我不在意有些芦笋。“我要了它们。“你不吃些？ “不，我从不吃芦笋。 “我知道有些人不喜欢它们。事实是，你吃的肉弄坏了你的胃口。“我们等候芦笋被烹调好。恐慌抓住了我。现在我留下多少钱来度过这个月剩余的日子已经不是一个问题，但我是否有足够的钱来付这个帐呢。如果发现缺少 10 法朗以至于我被迫向我的客人借，那会是令人尴尬的。我不能让自己做那种事。我清楚地知道我有多少钱，如果这个帐超了，我决定将手插进口袋里，伴随一声戏剧性的喊，跳起来，说我的钱被人偷了。当然，如果她也没有足够的钱付这个帐那会是笨拙的。那么惟一的事情就会是留下我的手表并说我不久会回来付帐的。芦笋出现了。它们极大，多汁，而且开胃。我看着这个缺德的女人含了一大嘴塞进喉咙，出于礼貌，我谈到巴尔干半岛的戏剧状态。最后她吃完了。“咖啡？“ 我说。“好的。只要一份冰激淋和一杯咖啡，“ 她回答。我现在已经
