Somerset Maugham. The Luncheon. Ч.3

Somerset Maugham. The Luncheon

Part 3

‘No,’ she answered, ‘I never eat more than one thing. Unless you had a little caviar. I never mind caviar.’

My heart sank a little. I knew I could not afford caviar, but I could not tell her that. I told the waiter by all means to bring caviar. For myself I chose the cheapest dish on the menu and that was a mutton chop.

‘I think you're unwise to eat meat,‘ she said. ‘I don't know how you can expect to work after eating heavy things like chops. I never overload my stomach.’

Then came the question of drink.

‘I never drink anything for luncheon,’ she said.

‘Neither do I,’ I answered promptly.

‘Except white wine,’ she went on as though I had not spoken. ‘These French white wines are so light. They are wonderful for the digestion.’

‘What would you like?’ I asked her.

‘My doctor won't let me drink anything but champagne.’

I think I turned a little pale. I ordered half a bottle. I mentioned casually that my doctor had absolutely forbidden me to drink champagne.

‘What are you going to drink, then?’

‘Water.’