Miss Lynx And The New Neighbor

Miss Lynx lived alongside a stream in a cottage made of thatch. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover lamb curry, when she heard a knock at the door.

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

She was surprised to see Mister Mink standing there, his hands on his pride. "How nice to see you, Mister Mink," Miss Lynx enunciated, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," imitated Mister Mink. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" cried Miss Lynx glibly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a cup of tea?"

"I can't stay," repeated Mister Mink. I just want to ask you what you think of the ladybug that's come to the stream.

"I really don't know," accused Miss Lynx. "I didn't know about any ladybug. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," smiled Mister Mink glumly. "I heard that this ladybug likes to ruin oriental vases."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Mink, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the stream when we get a lot of ladybugs ruining oriental vases?"

"I can't imagine," drawled Miss Lynx.

"What are we going to do about it?" blubbered Mister Mink.

"Appoint a committee?" stormed Miss Lynx, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Mink had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," acknowledged Miss Lynx silently, 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 Mink delicately. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," informed Miss Lynx dreamily, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the futon on her front porch, looking out over the stream and yelling. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Mink. Do come again."

"Just a minute," shouted Mister Mink slowly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Miss Lynx sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," she replied victoriously.