When supper was brought in, Lady Darnford took me by the hand, and said
to my master, Sir, by your leave; and would have placed me at the upper
end of the table. Pray, pray, madam, said I, excuse me; I cannot do it,
indeed I cannot. Pamela, said my master, to the great delight of my good
father, as I could see by his looks, oblige Lady Darnford, since she
desires it. It is but a little before your time, you know.
Dear, good sir, said I, pray don't command it! Let me sit by my father,
pray! Why, said Sir Simon, here's ado indeed! Sit down at the upper
end, as you should do; and your father shall sit by you, there. This put
my dear father upon difficulties. And my master said, Come, I'll place
you all: and so put Lady Darnford at the upper end, Lady Jones at her
right hand, and Mrs. Peters on the other; and he placed me between the
two young ladies; but very genteelly put Miss Darnford below her younger
sister; saying, Come, miss, I put you here, because you shall hedge in
this little cuckow; for I take notice, with pleasure, of your goodness to
her; and, besides, all you very young ladies should sit together. This
seemed to please both sisters; for had the youngest miss been put there,
it might have piqued her, as matters have been formerly, to be placed
below me; whereas Miss Darnford giving place to her youngest sister, made
it less odd she should to me; especially with that handsome turn of the
dear man, as if I was a cuckow, and to be hedged in.
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