wood. I might as well be a block of wood. It's--

Mrs. Pearce opens the door. She has Eliza's hat in her hand.
Pickering retires to the easy-chair at the hearth and sits down.

HIGGINS [eagerly] Well, Mrs. Pearce: is it all right?

MRS. PEARCE [at the door] I just wish to trouble you with a word,
if I may, Mr. Higgins.

HIGGINS. Yes, certainly. Come in. [She comes forward]. Don't burn
that, Mrs. Pearce. I'll keep it as a curiosity. [He takes the
hat].

MRS. PEARCE. Handle it carefully, sir, please. I had to promise
her not to burn it; but I had better put it in the oven for a
while.

HIGGINS [putting it down hastily on the piano] Oh! thank you.
Well, what have you to say to me?

PICKERING. Am I in the way?

MRS. PEARCE. Not at all, sir. Mr. Higgins: will you please be
very particular what you say before the girl?

HIGGINS [sternly] Of course. I'm always particular about what I
say. Why do you say this to me?

MRS. PEARCE [unmoved] No, sir: you're not at all particular when