there. But I was 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 eighty francs (gold francs) to the rest of the month and a modest luncheon should not cost more than fifteen. If I cut out coffee for the next two weeks I could manage well enough.
What do you think of the request that the woman has made of the main character? Why do you think that he accepted it? Do you think he is going to get into trouble? Why or why not?
I answered that I would meet my friend-by-correspondence at Foyo 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 forty (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 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, don't say that!" I answered generously.
"I never eat more than one thing. I think people ea 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 com in-it was the first they had had I ordered it for my guest. The waiter asked her if she would have something while it was being cooked.