Q:

“what about the going for a picnic,” he said, “it’s time to go now.” 

• 1
  He enquired going for a picnic as it was time to go then.
• 2
  He asked what about going for a picnic and said that it was time to go then.
• 3
  He proposed going for a picnic as it was time to go then.
• 4
  He suggested going for a picnic as it was time to go now.