Yes; I want some breakfast, please, Mary.
MARY (coldly). Breakfast has been cleared away an hour ago.
PHILIP. Exactly. That's why I rang. You can boil me a couple of
eggs or something. And coffee, not tea.
MARY. I'm sure I don't know what Mrs. Higgins will say?
PHILIP (getting up). Who is Mrs. Higgins?
MARY. The cook. And she's not used to being put about like this.
PHILIP. Do you think she'll say something?
MARY. I don't know _what_ she'll say.
PHILIP. You needn't tell me, you know, if you don't want to.
Anyway, I don't suppose it will shock me. One gets used to it in
the Army. (He smiles pleasantly at her.)
MARY. Well, I'll do what I can, sir. But breakfast at eight sharp
is the master's rule, just as it used to be before you went away to
the war.
PHILIP. Before I went away to the war I did a lot of silly things.
Don't drag them up now. (More curtly) Two eggs, and if there's a
ham bring that along too. (He turns away.)
MARY (doubtfully, as she prepares to go). Well, I'm sure I don't
know what Mrs. Higgins will say. [Exit MARY.]
(As she goes out she makes way for AUNT EMILY to come in, a
kind-hearted mid-Victorian lady who has never had any desire for
the vote.)
EMILY. There you are, Philip! Good-morning, dear. Did you sleep
well?
PHILIP. Rather; splendidly, thanks, Aunt Emily.
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