Words in Anger

[capt_facepalm]

Title:  Words in Anger
Author: capt_facepalm
Rating: PG
Fandom:  Sherlock Holmes (Gaslight)
Characters:  Dr John H. Watson, Wiggins
Summary:  A heated discussion was overheard
Warnings:  (none)
Word Count: 100
Author's Notes: August 1st 2012 prompt: Eavesdropping and its possible consequences

.oOOo.

Dr Watson caught up to the little street arab as the boy left 221 Baker Street.

‘He didn’t mean it like that, Wiggins,’ said Watson. ‘You know his ways. He is too direct. We were arguing and he never knew you were listening outside.’

‘The Guv’s the smartest man I know—’

‘He is that,’ Watson agreed. ‘But in this case, he’s wrong. You and your friends have a hard life, but you are still children. That there are so many like you is a tragedy. Remember this, no matter what Mr Holmes says, you are neither expendable nor replaceable.’

.oOOo.

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Comments

[med_cat]

An excellent take on the prompt ;)

[capt-facepalm.livejournal.com]

Thank you!
Poor Wiggins.

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

Oh, poor Wiggins, I always thought Holmes always was a bit more abrupt with him than he should have been.

[capt-facepalm.livejournal.com]

Holmes saw himself as a disciplinarian for these wild street children and liked to give them direction and purpose. The flippant comment he made to Watson was to score points in the argument they were having, and not meant for Wiggins' ears.

[calli-scribbles.livejournal.com]

Good thing Watson's good with children, because Sherlock clearly doesn't take the fact that they are children into account.

[capt-facepalm.livejournal.com]

Victorians tended to regard children as small adults once they reached a certain age. The concept of adolescence is a much more modern idea. Watson would likely share this regard, but gives the Irregulars a little more leeway than Holmes.
(Heck, Watson is just better dealing with people than Holmes!)

[calli-scribbles.livejournal.com]

So true.

[wirral-bagpuss.livejournal.com]

Poor Wiggans, but as Watson has observed Holmes does have a great heart underneath the cold exterior! I bet Holmes made up for it with a treat the next day! :)

[capt-facepalm.livejournal.com]

Holmes making it up for it with a treat would be tantamount to admitting he was wrong. His argument was with Watson and Wiggins just happened to hear him at his most fierce.

[debriswoman]

I can imagine Holmes saying that in the heat of the moment. Nicely done:-)

[capt-facepalm.livejournal.com]

He said it and he meant it. But those words were for Watson's ears. He never would have said that to the boys.
(Thanks!)

[azuhra.livejournal.com]

Oh, this is perfect. Excellent choice of direction on this prompt. Holmes usually did treat and respond to his irregulars as adults. Its quite believable to see him coming out with an abrupt statement about their worth that he really wouldn't mean.

And Watson, ever the comforter!

[capt-facepalm.livejournal.com]

Holmes said it and he meant it. But those words were for Watson's ears; to win the argument they were having. Holmes never would have said that to the boys.
(Thanks!)

[methylviolet10b]

Really nice take on this prompt. I expect Holmes is in for a few sharp words from Watson.

[capt-facepalm.livejournal.com]

Perhaps a stoney silence instead of harsh words?
If Watson did not win their argument, I don't see him backing down from his principles.
(I'm glad you enjoyed this take!)