If anyone other than Mary had been the one greeting him for the hundredth time with tea and fire and compliments to his awful state, Watson would have probably turned on his heels and left to avoid decking them. (a bit of an exaggeration, perhaps, but still!) Instead he was pleasantly surprised, but feigned straight-faced indignation as he removed his dripping hat and coat and replied, "So I've been told." His shoes made a delightful squelching noise with each step he took, which somehow diminished the sincerity of his faux seriousness. "What brings you here on this absolutely beautiful day?"