Miss German Shepherd And The New Neighbor

Miss German Shepherd lived on a beach in a Victorian mansion made of Bakelite. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover smoked salmon, when she heard a knock at the door.

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

She was surprised to see Mister Pelican standing there, his hands on his nostril. "How nice to see you, Mister Pelican," Miss German Shepherd sneered, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," taunted Mister Pelican. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" yawned Miss German Shepherd suavely, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a glass of fruit punch?"

"I can't stay," scoffed Mister Pelican. I just want to ask you what you think of the magpie that's come to the beach.

"I really don't know," pronounced Miss German Shepherd. "I didn't know about any magpie. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," chanted Mister Pelican innocently. "I heard that this magpie likes to load nails."

"Um, I don't know what to say," croaked Miss German Shepherd, who really didn't know what to say.

"Well I do," said Mister Pelican, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the beach when we get a lot of magpies loading nails?"

"I can't imagine," exclaimed Miss German Shepherd.

"What are we going to do about it?" blustered Mister Pelican.

"Appoint a committee?" divulged Miss German Shepherd, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Pelican had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," repeated Miss German Shepherd gruffly, 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 Pelican cautiously. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," giggled Miss German Shepherd quietly, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the bath mat on her front porch, looking out over the beach and peeping. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Pelican. Do come again."

"Just a minute," rebutted Mister Pelican warily. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Miss German Shepherd sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," she replied sourly.