#sharpe literally making off with half of the silverware from the mess hall to sell for profit is the funniest thing cornwell could do

[properbastard]

[ sharpe's background of being a pickpocket, a burglar, and a thief should definitely have been used more for comedy and less for tragedy in the sharpe series because can you imagine

you're an officer in the mess hall. you watch a 6'1" 95th Rifles officer walk in, pickpocket a colonel, hide an entire bottle of wine in his jacket, and stuff a handful of silverware into his shako. He has made eye contact with you the entire time. He throws up a two-finger salute in your direction on his way out. You go to say something, but one of the "exploring officers" stops you and starts rambling about this man's skills. He does this at least twice a week. He's the most efficient soldier in Wellington's army. He calls you a bastard to your face and steals your watch.