December 24: "Hat shop." (from Garonne)

Watson

"Mr. 'Olmes! Mr. 'Olmes!" exclaimed a dozen young voices, as two dozen feet clattered up the stairs.

Holmes and I turned round, to see a large group of our dirty little Irregulars stumbling into or sitting room, with pink cheeks and bright eyes.

"What is it, boys?" my friend asked.

"It's snowing!" cried Henry, pointing out the window.

"So it is," Holmes observed, with a glance in that direction.

I hadn't even noticed until the boys had said something. The little flakes drifted lazily down from the greyish skies above, and past our window, before melting on the streets below or landing on the shoulders and hats of passersby.

"Sorry I brought all of us in this toime," said Wiggins, "but it's too cold to leave them outside."

"Quite all right," I assured them.

"We have news to report besides the weather, Mr. 'Olmes," said Wiggins, straightening his posture and adding a couple of inches to his height. The boy was growing closer to my height every day, I noticed. He had already passed Mrs. Hudson!

Wiggins went on to give a detailed report regarding the latest case Holmes had them investigating.

Meanwhile, the other boys had migrated to the windows, each struggling to get the best view of the street below.

"It's sticking to the ground!" little James exclaimed, pointing. "Think we'll have enough to build a snowman?"

"Perhaps!" I said, my heart warming at the sight of their flushed, joyful faces. "But we'll need a good deal more snow for that to happen."

Wiggins nodded. "C'mon, boys. We've delivered our report, it's time to go."

"But it's cold out!" Henry whispered.

Without a word, Wiggins undid his tattered muffler and put it round Henry's neck.

I felt my heart twinge a little in my chest. I leaned towards Holmes, whispering a few short instructions. A moment later, he returned with my pocketbook in hand.

"If it's convenient to you boys," I said, taking my pocketbook, "I think we ought to take a short walk across town."

"Where to?" asked Wiggins.

"Well, I believe our first stop should be a hat shop," said I, "after all it's much too cold for you to be out bare-headed."

I pulled on my coat and my own hat, and ushered the now both excited and grateful boys to the door. I didn't even realize until we were outside that Holmes had also followed.

"I believe my last case has left me with sufficient funds to buy winter gear for them," he whispered.

"We'll split it, then," I whispered back, very grateful for his offer. After all, I was by no means wealthy.

It was thankfully not too long of a walk to the nearest hat shop, where all of the boys left with considerably warmer ears than when they entered.

After the hat shop, we also purchased gloves, mufflers, and shoes for all of those without such articles.

By the end of the afternoon, there were nearly two inches of snow covering the ground, and the snow was only coming down thicker and faster. And although our funds were somewhat depleted, of all the members of our dear little unofficial force were bundled up warm enough to build a snowman.

A/N: *Humming* After all, there's only one more sleep till Christmas!

It's finally snowing where I am! All we've had this winter are a few scattered flakes that melted within hours or days. And now it's looking like we'll actually have a white Christmas!

Wishing you all snow (but not enough to hinder travel plans) to whiten Christmas where you are too! :D