The plot of The Dinner Party by Mona Gardner is there is a cobra in the dinner room, which no one is aware of. So, the American must find a way to keep all of the guests calm and still so that the cobra does not harm/bite any of them, while also trying to lead the cobra away into a bowl of milk outside on the veranda.
Because they had each other?!
Chugged is the main word that should give it away. It is kind of exaggerating the car going up the mountain. I assume it would be a hyperbole.
Hope I helped!
Answer:
Follow the footsteps of those who won't lead you astray.
She made eye contact, and had a passionate tone of voice
