When the Speaker called his old adversary, the Tory roar of approval was made as (and taken by him as) anti-Speaker noise.

The Speaker had no need to say anything but felt he had to assert his position as the Prince of Proceedings –  “At my request” he said, others would be allowed to speak. “We are concerned also, I am sure,” (pointedly) “about others.” (Misfire. Small hiatus. Some embarrassment recorded from Labour benches.)

Simon Burns put in a jab at the end of his question: “I trust my Rt hon Friend has the time to answer the question in full.”

The PM, for the second week in a row, pulled the Speaker’s nose: “For my Rt hon Friend to be called at 12.33 on aWednesday shows that if you stick at anything, you can win.”

Much laughter again, the skirmishing between Burns and Bercow brought into the open.

Little Prince, trying to smile, attempted a further riposte: “I have always practised that philosophy myself: however long it takes, we are going to get through them. Kate Hoey!”

And at the end of PMQs: “Order!” And satirical Tory voices with fake disappointment go, “Ah-ohhh!”

Princely authority index: down.