Miss Peacock And The New Neighbor

Miss Peacock lived in a housing development in a motel made of old newspapers. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover refried beans, when she heard a knock at the door.

She barrelled to the door, wondering who would be stopping for a visit at this time of day.

She was surprised to see Mister Cat standing there, his hands on his foot. "How nice to see you, Mister Cat," Miss Peacock comforted, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," divulged Mister Cat. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" croaked Miss Peacock wildly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you an ice cream soda?"

"I can't stay," persisted Mister Cat. I just want to ask you what you think of the frog that's come to the housing development.

"I really don't know," vouched Miss Peacock. "I didn't know about any frog. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," voiced Mister Cat victoriously. "I heard that this frog likes to pinch rubber stamps."

"Um, I don't know what to say," argued Miss Peacock, who really didn't know what to say.

"Well I do," said Mister Cat, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the housing development when we get a lot of frogs pinching rubber stamps?"

"I can't imagine," jeered Miss Peacock.

"What are we going to do about it?" rumored Mister Cat.

"Appoint a committee?" voiced Miss Peacock, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Cat had in mind.

"That's exactly right," said Mister Cat diligently. "A committee to study the problem."

"Well that's a fine idea," groveled Miss Peacock fiercely, who wanted to bring the conversation to a close quickly, without finding herself on this committee.

"I'd like for you to be on the committee," said Mister Cat impatiently. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," taunted Miss Peacock energetically, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the coat rack on her front porch, looking out over the housing development and gazing. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Cat. Do come again."

"Just a minute," quavered Mister Cat steadily. "You didn't answer about the committee."

Miss Peacock thought she had answered, and was beginning to get bubbly. "Thank you so much for thinking of me. It is a lovely day, isn't it? How is Mrs. Cat doing these days?"

Mister Cat would have none of it. "So, let's meet at your house, say tomorrow at two?"

Miss Peacock sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," she replied swiftly.