Asparagus, ice-cream and a peach

Next, she asks for giant asparagus. She is not hungry, she says, but she would be happy to have some. The writer, his mouth watering, says that he never eats asparagus.

He begins to panic that he will not be able to pay the bill. He plans what to do if the money is short: he will pretend that his pocket has been picked.

She finishes with ice-cream and coffee, and gives him a piece of advice: one should always stop eating while one is still a little hungry.

Then the headwaiter brings a basket of huge, costly peaches. Still chatting, she takes one.

The writer pays the bill. He has only enough left for a tiny tip, and walks out without a penny for the rest of the month. She looks at the small tip and thinks he is mean.

She says one thing and eats another: that is the story's irony.