Fic: There is Such a Thing as Too Much

[smallhobbit]

Title: There is Such a Thing as Too Much
Form/Word Count: 262
Characters/Pairing: John Watson, Mrs Hudson
Rating: G
Warning/Content: Mrs Hudson is sending a caller packing

Mrs Hudson was of the opinion that women who wore a lot of make up were no better than they should be.  I was therefore not surprised to hear her speaking firmly to someone at the front door who was asking to be allowed in.

“This is a respectable establishment, madam, and I am not going to permit you to enter and therefore lower my position in the neighbourhood.  Kindly take yourself elsewhere.”

And with that she slammed the door.

“Mrs Hudson!” I called down.

“Yes, doctor?”

“You do know I will answer a call for help from anyone, regardless of their appearance.”

“Of course I do.  This particular person wished to call on Mr Holmes.”

“Holmes, likewise, will listen to all.”

“I am aware of that.  I have seen enough of those who come to see him, both those who deserve his aid and those who do not.  And I do not judge how much they deserve help by their standing in society.”

“Then why?”

“The person was wearing far too much make up for a respectable establishment.”

“I thought you said you didn’t judge callers.”

Mrs Hudson continued as if she hadn’t heard me.  “And the person may enter once he has removed most of it.”

I caught the ‘he’ which confirmed my suspicions.  “But it’s raining, Mrs Hudson.  Surely you don’t want Holmes to get wet?”

“In which case he may hold his face up to the rain and let it wash his make up away,” she said firmly, before equally firmly closing the door to her own domain.