Discuss in pairs or in small groups
The author’s attempts at keeping up his pretence of friendliness while he was mentally preoccupied with the expense of the luncheon.
The author or the narrator tried his best to remain calm and composed while the lady kept on ordering food with his indirect approval. The narrator was trying to keep himself calm by not letting out the truth about his apprehension regarding the bill. He was constantly pushing himself to maintain his goodliness by complying with the lady’s views regarding food habits. He even negated his hunger just to ensure that the lady doesn’t come to know about his embarrassing financial crisis.