MRS. HIGGINS. Breakfast is at eight o'clock. It always has been as long as I've been in this house, and always will be until I get further orders. PHILIP. Well, you've just got further orders. Two eggs, and if there's a ham-- MRS. HIGGINS. Orders. We're talking about orders. From whom in this house do I take orders, may I ask? PHILIP. In this case from me. MRS. HIGGINS (playing her trump-card). In that case, ma'am, I wish to give a month's notice from to-day. _In_clusive. PHILIP (quickly, before his aunt can say anything). Certainly. In fact, you'd probably prefer it if my aunt gave _you_ notice, and then you could go at once. We can easily arrange that. (TO AUNT EMILY as he takes out a fountain pen and cheque-book) What do you pay her? EMILY (faintly). Forty-five pounds. PHILIP (writing on his knee). Twelves into forty-five.... (Pleasantly to MRS. HIGGINS, but without looking up) I hope you don't mind a Cox's cheque. Some people do; but this is quite a good one. (Tearing it out) Here you are. MRS. HIGGINS (taken aback). What's this? PHILIP. Your wages instead of notice. Now you can go at once. MRS. HIGGINS. Who said anything about going? PHILIP (surprised). I'm sorry; I thought _you_ did. MRS. HIGGINS. If it's only a bit of breakfast, I don't say but what I mightn't get it, if I'm asked decent. PHILIP (putting back the cheque). Then let me say again, "Two eggs, ham and coffee." And Mary can bring the ham up at once, and I'll get going on that. (Turning away) Thanks very much. MRS. HIGGINS. Well, I--well--well! [Exit speechless.] PHILIP (surprised). Is that all she ever says? It isn't much to worry about. EMILY. Philip, how could you! I should have been terrified. PHILIP. Well, you see, I've done your job for two years out there. EMILY. What job? PHILIP. Mess President.... I think I'll go and see about that ham. (He smiles at her and goes out into the dining-room. AUNT EMILY wanders round the room, putting a few things tidy as is her habit, when she is interrupted by the entrance of UNCLE JAMES. JAMES is not a big man, nor an impressive one in his black morning-coat; and his thin straggly beard, now going grey, does not hide a chin of any great power; but he has a severity which passes for strength with the weak.) JAMES. Philip down yet? EMILY. He's just having his breakfast. JAMES (looking at his watch). Ten o'clock. (Snapping it shut and putting it back) Ten o'clock. I say ten o'clock, Emily. EMILY. Yes, dear, I heard you. JAMES. You don't say anything? EMILY (vaguely). I expect he's tired after that long war. JAMES. That's no excuse for not being punctual. I suppose he learnt punctuality in the Army? EMILY. I expect he learnt it, James, but I understood him to say that he'd forgotten it.