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大学英语精读第四册 Unit Seven:The Luncheon

时间:2005-04-20 16:00来源:互联网 提供网友:鱼尾巴   字体: [ ]
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Text
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 luncheon1 date is far too expensive for his small pocketbook. How, then, will he be able to avoid the embarrassing situation?

THE LUNCHEON

W.Somerset Maugham

I caught sight of her at the play, and in answer to her beckoning2 I went over during the interval3 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, it's many years since we first met. How time does fly! We're 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 cemetery4, and I was earning barely enough 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 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 Foyot's afterwards? Foyot's 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 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 eight francs (gold francs) to last me 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.
I answered that I would meet my friend -- by correspondence -- at Foyot's on Thursday at half past twelve. She was not so young as I expected and in appearance imposing5 rather than attractive, she was, in fact, a woman of forty (a charming age, but not one that excites a sudden and devastating6 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 attentive7 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 reassured8 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 eat far too much nowadays. A little fish, perhaps. I wonder if they have any salmon9.
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 guest. 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. 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 told 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 don't know how you can expect to work after eating heavy things like chops. I don't believe in overloading10 my stomach."
Then came the question of drink.
"I never drink anything for luncheon," she said.
"Neither do I," I answered promptly11.
"Except whiter wine," she proceeded as though I had not spoken. "These French white wines are so light. They're wonderful for the digestion13."
"What would you like?" I asked, hospitable14 still, but not exactly effusive15.
She gave me a bright and amicable16 flash of her white teeth.
"My doctor won't let me drink anything but champagne17."
I fancy I turned a trifle pale. I ordered half a bottle. I mentioned casually18 that my doctor had absolutely forbidden me to drink champagne.
"What are you going to drink, then?"
"Water."
She ate the caviare and she ate the salmon. She talked gaily19 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 you're in the habit of eating a heavy luncheon. I'm sure it's a mistake. Why don't you follow my example and just eat one thing? I'm sure you'd 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 want more than that, and I eat that more as an excuse for conversation than anything else. I couldn't 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 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 large, so splendid, so tender, that it was a marvel20.
"I'm not in the least hungry," my guest sighed, "but if you insist I don't mind having some asparagus."
I ordered them.
"Aren't you going to have any?"
"No, I never eat asparagus."
"I know there are people who don't like them. The fact is, you ruin your taste 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 borrow 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 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 spoke12 about the condition of the 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, there's one thing I thoroughly21 believe in," she said, as she ate the ice-cream. "One should always get up from a meal feeling one could eat a little more."
"Are you still hungry?" I asked faintly.
"Oh, no, I'm not hungry; you see, I don't 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!"
Then 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 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, you've filled your stomach with a lot of meat" -- my one miserable22 little chop -- "and you can't eat any more. But I've just had a snack and I shall enjoy a peach."
The bill came, and when I paid it I found that I had only enough for a quite inadequate23 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 penny in my pocket.
"Follow my example," she said as we shook hands, "and never eat more than one thing for luncheon."
"I'll do better than that," I retorted. "I'll eat nothing for dinner tonight."
"Humorist!" she cried gaily, jumping into a cab. "You're quite a humorist!"
But I have had my revenge at last. I do not believe that I am a vindictive24 man, but when the immortal25 gods take a hand in matter it is pardonable to observe the result with complacency. Today she weighs twenty-one stone.

New Words
luncheon
n.& vi. (formal word for) lunch

beckon
vt. signal to (sb.) by a motion of the hand or head 向……招手或点头示意

apartment
n. a single room; (AmE) flat or a set of rooms 房间;(美)一套公寓住房

Latin
a. 拉丁的
n. 拉丁文

quarter
n. division of a town, esp. one of a special class of people (都市的)区,街

overlook
vt. have a view of from above; fail to see or notice 俯视;忽略

presently
ad. soon; (AmE) at the present time 不久;(美)目前

chat
n., vi. (have) a friendly informal conversation 闲谈,聊天

senator
n. a 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

franc
n. the unit of money in France, Belgium. Switzerland, and some other countries 法郎

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

attractive
a. having the power to attract; pleasing 吸引人的;有魅力的

charming
a. very pleasing; fascinating 有魅力的

devastating
a. destructive; causing ruin; sweeping26 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

impression
n. 印象

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 acts 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 person's mind at rest 使安心

generously
ad. with readiness to give money, help, kindness, etc. 慷慨地,大方地

generous a.

nowadays
ad. at the present time, now

salmon
n. 鲑鱼

menu
n. a list of courses at a meal or of dishes that can be served in a restaurant 菜单

mutton
n. meat from a fully27 grown sheep 羊肉

chop
n. 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, gratitude28, etc.) pouring out too freely; too demonstrative or emotional 热情洋溢的;感情(过多)流露的

amicable
a. friendly; peaceful

flash
n. a sudden, quick bright light; a sudden display 闪烁;闪现

champagne
n. 香槟洒

fancy
vt. suppose, imagine

trifle
n. a thing, event, etc. of little value or importance 琐事

forbid (forbade or forbad, forbidden)
vt. command(sb.) not to do sth.; refuse to allow (sb.) to have, use, enter etc.禁止

gaily
ad. in a happy and joyous29 manner

literature
n. 文学(作品)

airy
a. light-hearted; affected30 轻盈的;做作的

bite
n. piece cut off by biting

asparagus
n. (sing. or pl.) 芦笋

water
vi. (of the eyes or mouth) fill with watery31 liquid, esp. tears or saliva32

Madame
n. use as a title of respect for a woman (esp. a foreign married woman)夫人

might
n. power, strength, force

will
vt. influence or compel, by exercising the power 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 surprise

sigh
vi. let out a deep breath slowly and with a sound (indicating sadness, tiredness, relief, etc.)叹气

ruin
vt. destroy or spoil (completely) 毁灭
n. a condition of destruction and decay

panic
n. sudden, uncontrollable terror or anxiety 恐慌

oblige
vt. compel; require, bind33 (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 play

pick
vt. steal

juicy
a. having a lot of juice 多液汁的

appetising
a. arousing or exciting 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 mouth

drama
n. a play for the theatre, radio or TV; composition, presentation and performance of such plays 戏剧

head waiter
n. a man in charge of the waiters in a restaurant hotel, or dining car

ingratiating
a. making oneself very pleasant to sb. in order to gain favour 讨好的,奉承的

peach
n. 桃子

blush
n. reddening of the face, from shame or confusion

innocent
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 time

mean
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

humor
n. 幽默

cab
n. a carriage for public hire; taxi

revenge
n. 报仇,报复
vt. 替……报仇

vindictive
a. unforgiving; having or showing a desire for revenge

immortal
a. living for ever 不朽的

pardonable
a. that can be forgiven

complacency
n. self-satisfaction 自鸣得意

stone
n. the British unit of weight equal to 14 pounds (6.35 kilos)

Phrase & Expressions
catch sight of
see suddenly or unexpectedly

in answer to
in response to

keep body and soul together
remain alive, esp. by earning enough money to feed oneself 勉强维持生活

pass through
go through; experience 穿过;经历

be beyond one's means
be more than one can afford 付不起

cut out
leave out 停止使用,戒除

at first sight
when seen for the first time 乍看之下;第一眼就

be inclined to
be likely to; tend to 易于……的;倾向于,想

come in
become seasonable or available 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

a trifle
somewhat, a little

come to
amount to 总计

take(sb.) to task
criticize (sb.)申斥(某)人

be in the habit of
have the habit of 习惯于

(not) in the least
leave as remainder (the best part having being consumed )留下,剩下

bring oneself to
make oneself (do); force oneself to 强迫自己

make up one's mind
choose what to do; decide 决定

start up
make a sudden movement due to surprise, alarm, pain, etc. 惊动,惊起

speak for
make a request for; speak on behalf of 要求得到;为……说话,为……辩护

in season
available, fresh for use as food 正在当令之时

go on with
continue doing

take/have a hand in
be partly responsible for; share (an activity) 参加,介入

Proper Names
Paris
巴黎(法国首都)
the 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


点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 luncheon V8az4     
n.午宴,午餐,便宴
参考例句:
  • We have luncheon at twelve o'clock.我们十二点钟用午餐。
  • I have a luncheon engagement.我午饭有约。
2 beckoning fcbc3f0e8d09c5f29e4c5759847d03d6     
adj.引诱人的,令人心动的v.(用头或手的动作)示意,召唤( beckon的现在分词 )
参考例句:
  • An even more beautiful future is beckoning us on. 一个更加美好的未来在召唤我们继续前进。 来自辞典例句
  • He saw a youth of great radiance beckoning to him. 他看见一个丰神飘逸的少年向他招手。 来自辞典例句
3 interval 85kxY     
n.间隔,间距;幕间休息,中场休息
参考例句:
  • The interval between the two trees measures 40 feet.这两棵树的间隔是40英尺。
  • There was a long interval before he anwsered the telephone.隔了好久他才回了电话。
4 cemetery ur9z7     
n.坟墓,墓地,坟场
参考例句:
  • He was buried in the cemetery.他被葬在公墓。
  • His remains were interred in the cemetery.他的遗体葬在墓地。
5 imposing 8q9zcB     
adj.使人难忘的,壮丽的,堂皇的,雄伟的
参考例句:
  • The fortress is an imposing building.这座城堡是一座宏伟的建筑。
  • He has lost his imposing appearance.他已失去堂堂仪表。
6 devastating muOzlG     
adj.毁灭性的,令人震惊的,强有力的
参考例句:
  • It is the most devastating storm in 20 years.这是20年来破坏性最大的风暴。
  • Affairs do have a devastating effect on marriages.婚外情确实会对婚姻造成毁灭性的影响。
7 attentive pOKyB     
adj.注意的,专心的;关心(别人)的,殷勤的
参考例句:
  • She was very attentive to her guests.她对客人招待得十分周到。
  • The speaker likes to have an attentive audience.演讲者喜欢注意力集中的听众。
8 reassured ff7466d942d18e727fb4d5473e62a235     
adj.使消除疑虑的;使放心的v.再保证,恢复信心( reassure的过去式和过去分词)
参考例句:
  • The captain's confidence during the storm reassured the passengers. 在风暴中船长的信念使旅客们恢复了信心。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
  • The doctor reassured the old lady. 医生叫那位老妇人放心。 来自《简明英汉词典》
9 salmon pClzB     
n.鲑,大马哈鱼,橙红色的
参考例句:
  • We saw a salmon jumping in the waterfall there.我们看见一条大马哈鱼在那边瀑布中跳跃。
  • Do you have any fresh salmon in at the moment?现在有新鲜大马哈鱼卖吗?
10 overloading 5d6065404e868eff08c1dbdf99107858     
过载,超载,过负载
参考例句:
  • Enables multiple users to search the site without overloading the server. 使多个用户搜索网站,而无需超载的服务器上。
  • The driver got stripped down again for overloading his trunk. 那位卡车司机因为超载又受到责备。
11 promptly LRMxm     
adv.及时地,敏捷地
参考例句:
  • He paid the money back promptly.他立即还了钱。
  • She promptly seized the opportunity his absence gave her.她立即抓住了因他不在场给她创造的机会。
12 spoke XryyC     
n.(车轮的)辐条;轮辐;破坏某人的计划;阻挠某人的行动 v.讲,谈(speak的过去式);说;演说;从某种观点来说
参考例句:
  • They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
  • The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。
13 digestion il6zj     
n.消化,吸收
参考例句:
  • This kind of tea acts as an aid to digestion.这种茶可助消化。
  • This food is easy of digestion.这食物容易消化。
14 hospitable CcHxA     
adj.好客的;宽容的;有利的,适宜的
参考例句:
  • The man is very hospitable.He keeps open house for his friends and fellow-workers.那人十分好客,无论是他的朋友还是同事,他都盛情接待。
  • The locals are hospitable and welcoming.当地人热情好客。
15 effusive 9qTxf     
adj.热情洋溢的;感情(过多)流露的
参考例句:
  • Every visitor noticed that her effusive welcome was not sincere.所有的客人都看出来她那过分热情的欢迎是不真诚的。
  • Her effusive thanks embarrassed everybody.她道谢时非常激动,弄得大家不好意思。
16 amicable Qexyu     
adj.和平的,友好的;友善的
参考例句:
  • The two nations reached an amicable agreement.两国达成了一项友好协议。
  • The two nations settled their quarrel in an amicable way.两国以和睦友好的方式解决了他们的争端。
17 champagne iwBzh3     
n.香槟酒;微黄色
参考例句:
  • There were two glasses of champagne on the tray.托盘里有两杯香槟酒。
  • They sat there swilling champagne.他们坐在那里大喝香槟酒。
18 casually UwBzvw     
adv.漠不关心地,无动于衷地,不负责任地
参考例句:
  • She remarked casually that she was changing her job.她当时漫不经心地说要换工作。
  • I casually mentioned that I might be interested in working abroad.我不经意地提到我可能会对出国工作感兴趣。
19 gaily lfPzC     
adv.欢乐地,高兴地
参考例句:
  • The children sing gaily.孩子们欢唱着。
  • She waved goodbye very gaily.她欢快地挥手告别。
20 marvel b2xyG     
vi.(at)惊叹vt.感到惊异;n.令人惊异的事
参考例句:
  • The robot is a marvel of modern engineering.机器人是现代工程技术的奇迹。
  • The operation was a marvel of medical skill.这次手术是医术上的一个奇迹。
21 thoroughly sgmz0J     
adv.完全地,彻底地,十足地
参考例句:
  • The soil must be thoroughly turned over before planting.一定要先把土地深翻一遍再下种。
  • The soldiers have been thoroughly instructed in the care of their weapons.士兵们都系统地接受过保护武器的训练。
22 miserable g18yk     
adj.悲惨的,痛苦的;可怜的,糟糕的
参考例句:
  • It was miserable of you to make fun of him.你取笑他,这是可耻的。
  • Her past life was miserable.她过去的生活很苦。
23 inadequate 2kzyk     
adj.(for,to)不充足的,不适当的
参考例句:
  • The supply is inadequate to meet the demand.供不应求。
  • She was inadequate to the demands that were made on her.她还无力满足对她提出的各项要求。
24 vindictive FL3zG     
adj.有报仇心的,怀恨的,惩罚的
参考例句:
  • I have no vindictive feelings about it.我对此没有恶意。
  • The vindictive little girl tore up her sister's papers.那个充满报复心的小女孩撕破了她姐姐的作业。
25 immortal 7kOyr     
adj.不朽的;永生的,不死的;神的
参考例句:
  • The wild cocoa tree is effectively immortal.野生可可树实际上是不会死的。
  • The heroes of the people are immortal!人民英雄永垂不朽!
26 sweeping ihCzZ4     
adj.范围广大的,一扫无遗的
参考例句:
  • The citizens voted for sweeping reforms.公民投票支持全面的改革。
  • Can you hear the wind sweeping through the branches?你能听到风掠过树枝的声音吗?
27 fully Gfuzd     
adv.完全地,全部地,彻底地;充分地
参考例句:
  • The doctor asked me to breathe in,then to breathe out fully.医生让我先吸气,然后全部呼出。
  • They soon became fully integrated into the local community.他们很快就完全融入了当地人的圈子。
28 gratitude p6wyS     
adj.感激,感谢
参考例句:
  • I have expressed the depth of my gratitude to him.我向他表示了深切的谢意。
  • She could not help her tears of gratitude rolling down her face.她感激的泪珠禁不住沿着面颊流了下来。
29 joyous d3sxB     
adj.充满快乐的;令人高兴的
参考例句:
  • The lively dance heightened the joyous atmosphere of the scene.轻快的舞蹈给这场戏渲染了欢乐气氛。
  • They conveyed the joyous news to us soon.他们把这一佳音很快地传递给我们。
30 affected TzUzg0     
adj.不自然的,假装的
参考例句:
  • She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
  • His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。
31 watery bU5zW     
adj.有水的,水汪汪的;湿的,湿润的
参考例句:
  • In his watery eyes there is an expression of distrust.他那含泪的眼睛流露出惊惶失措的神情。
  • Her eyes became watery because of the smoke.因为烟熏,她的双眼变得泪汪汪的。
32 saliva 6Cdz0     
n.唾液,口水
参考例句:
  • He wiped a dribble of saliva from his chin.他擦掉了下巴上的几滴口水。
  • Saliva dribbled from the baby's mouth.唾液从婴儿的嘴里流了出来。
33 bind Vt8zi     
vt.捆,包扎;装订;约束;使凝固;vi.变硬
参考例句:
  • I will let the waiter bind up the parcel for you.我让服务生帮你把包裹包起来。
  • He wants a shirt that does not bind him.他要一件不使他觉得过紧的衬衫。
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