"So long as you're not going to request me to shave it. I'm not a man meant to be clean-shaven, and I like having you believe me to be handsome."

Watson let out a puff of laughter, half surprise and half amusement, when he found a tongue and a wet nose suddenly in his face. He freed an arm to ruffle Nell's ears fondly. "Why, hello there, my girl. Look at this, he's back again. I told you he would be."

Nell answered this with a few more enthusiastic licks, prompting Watson to turn away, laughing. Nell made an impatient sound, halfway between a yap and a whine; clearly she was not interested in being alone down on the floor. She turned her attention to Holmes, tucking her nose into the side of his neck, snuffling carefully before licking his face, enthusiastically.