Holmes and Watson had stopped in the park, resting after a long morning of walking through holiday crowds. Holmes was watching the people in the park, occasionally muttering small deductions under his breath, evidently enjoying the chance to practice his skills. Watson was watching his friend, stretching out his aching leg, and laughing softly as some of Holmes's more interesting asides.

Feeling a soft tap on his leg, Watson looked down into the face of a little girl, brown eyes wide, sneaking quick glimpses at his companion.

"'Scuse me, mister," she whispered, a soft lisp blurring her words. "Is that Mr 'Olmes?"

"Yes, he is," Watson replied, smiling at her. "What's your name, little one?"

Her eyes widened. Watson wondered if anyone had asked her that before. "Susannah, mister."

"That's a pretty name."

She nodded at him. "My mammy picked it." With childish carelessness, she switched topics. "Do you think Mr 'Olmes would - would say hello to me?"

Her eyes were big and brown, a very effective plea, and enough to stop Watson from asking any more questions. He smiled at her again, taking her small hand and enfolding it in his. "Of course, Susannah." He turned towards, Holmes, raising his voice slightly. "Holmes, you have a fan who would like to meet you."

Holmes turned, and seeing the little girl, a flash of discomfort was visible on his face, too quick for any but Watson to notice. "Good day."

Susannah stares at him, too awestruck to speak.

"Her name is Susannah," Watson prompted, beginning to enjoy this strange encounter.

"Good day, Susannah. Why did you wish to talk to me?"

She mumbled something, eyes transfixed on his face. Watson squeezed her hand. "A little louder, Susannah?"

She took a deep breath, then it all came out in one big rush. "You's in all the stories mammy tells us, about the mysteries you solve, and you knows things just by looking at people, and it all sounds so nice and I want to be like you."

Holmes looked startled by the outflow of words. "Anyone can deduce. The problem with most people, is they see, but they do not observe. Take that man over there, for instance." Holmes pointed out someone walking along the other side of the park. "What can you tell me about him?"

Watson sat back, feeling quietly contented, watching Holmes teach a little girl how to truly observe the world.