Chapter XXIII

Dinner-Time

WHEN Adam heard that he was to dine upstairs with the large tenants, he felt rather uncomfortable at the idea of being exalted in this way above his mother and Seth, who were to dine in the cloisters below. But Mr. Mills, the butler, assured him that Captain Donnithorne had given particular orders about it, and would be very angry if Adam was not there.

Adam nodded and went up to Seth, who was standing a few yards off. "Seth, lad," he said, "the captain has sent to say I'm to dine upstairs--he wishes it particular, Mr. Mills says, so I suppose it 'ud be behaving ill for me not to go. But I don't like sitting up above thee and mother, as if I was better than my own flesh and blood. Thee't not take it unkind, I hope?"

"Nay, nay, lad," said Seth, "thy honour's our honour; and if thee get'st respect, thee'st won it by thy own deserts. The further I see thee above me, the better, so long as thee feel'st like a brother to me. It's because o' thy being appointed over the woods, and it's nothing but what's right. That's a place o' trust, and thee't above a common workman now."

"Aye," said Adam, "but nobody knows a word about it yet. I haven't given notice to Mr. Burge about leaving him, and I don't like to tell anybody else about it before he knows, for he'll be a good bit hurt, I doubt. People 'ull be wondering to see me there, and they'll like enough be guessing the reason and asking questions, for there's been so much talk up and down about my having the place, this last three weeks."

1. Where was Adam to dine?
2. with who?
3. Were they friends?
4. Did he want to go?
5. why not?
6. Where did he want to go?
7. with who?
8. Who told him to go upstairs?
9. Does he plan on going?
10. What did he discuss with Seth?
11. Is Adam of higher status?
12. How does Seth feel about this?
1. upstairs
2. the large tenants
3. yes
4. no
5. he felt uncomfortable
6. in the cloisters below
7. with his mother and Seth
8. Captain Donnithorne
9. yes
10. dining upstairs
11. yes
12. The further he is above him, the better, so long as he feels like a brother to him