The Important Thing .........
.......... was your mother sitting above or below the salt?
It suggests you and she were well placed at lunch, if you had a 'senior officer' within hailing distance.
Also to be remembered; it was the senior officer's fault!! If he had been the proper host, he would have enquired of your mother if she would like the salt & pepper and any other 'frillies' on the table. You have my permission to expunge your shame from the memory banks.
O-D