I'm long sighted, so naturally I see it in everyone else. But how many times has Holmes has Watson read things aloud?
"I have a telegram, and a case. Watson, will you read it out for me?"
"Holmes, can it wait one moment? I'm just writing this…"
"It is of the gravest importance!"
"Well. Right…" I was at the last phrase of a sentence. No matter how important it was, I couldn't be so careless as to leave it.
"Watson!"
"Why can't you read it out?"
"I should prefer to have you with me. You wouldn't want to miss the beginning of a case if it was an interesting one?"
"They are all interesting." He ignored me.
"Your voice aids my investigations, Watson. While I think of the details, I don't have to translate letters, distracting my brain from its purpose."
"Holmes, can you read this?"
"Of course I can! What do you take me for, a simpleton?"
"You know what I mean. It is perfectly natural that as one… approaches middle age, the eyes get tenser and you might have problems."
"My vision is perfect! I can see that woman's amethyst brooch from here!" He pointed out of the window, and sure enough I made out a purple speck on her blouse.
"Do you have problems with long-sightedness though, Holmes? Maybe with reading close up, for example you often have that magnifying glass out when you don't need it…"
"I have to see the minutest details, Watson-"
"And that may have diminished your eye's capability over the years." I finally glanced over the telegram 'of gravest importance'. "Holmes, this is mediocre. A woman has had her luggage stolen at a station."
"You said they were all interesting."
"They are, but they aren't all of grave importance. I'm going to make an appointment with my optician friend, Barnes."
"I don't need an optician."
"Then waste a few minutes of your time, Holmes!"
He sighed. "As long as the fee is not terrible, Watson."
"Thank you."
Two weeks later, Holmes was issued with some reading glasses. He never used them, but every time I read to him I knew my trophy was in his desk drawer.