.

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.

JAMES. Then the sooner he learns it again the better. I particularly
stayed away from the office to-day in order to talk things over with
him, and (looking cat his watch) here's ten o'clock--past ten--and no
sign of him. I'm practically throwing away a day.

EMILY. What are you going to talk to him about?

JAMES. His future, naturally. I have decided that the best thing he can
do is to come into the business at once.

EMILY. Are you really going to talk it over with him, James, or are you
just going to tell him that he _must_ come?

JAMES (surprised). What do you mean? What's the difference? Naturally
we shall talk it over first, and--er--naturally he'll fall in with my
wishes.

EMILY. I suppose he can hardly help himself, poor boy.

JAMES. Not until he's twenty-five, anyhow. When he's twenty-five he can
have his own money and do what he likes with it.

EMILY (timidl