Miss Dragon And The New Neighbor

Miss Dragon lived on a plateau in a manor house made of rammed earth. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover pie a la mode, when she heard a knock at the door.

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

She was surprised to see Mister Gnu standing there, his hands on his gall bladder. "How nice to see you, Mister Gnu," Miss Dragon reminded, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," smiled Mister Gnu. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" winked Miss Dragon neatly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a martini?"

"I can't stay," rambled Mister Gnu. I just want to ask you what you think of the lovebird that's come to the plateau.

"I really don't know," declared Miss Dragon. "I didn't know about any lovebird. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," complained Mister Gnu suavely. "I heard that this lovebird likes to whip cream puffs."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Gnu, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the plateau when we get a lot of lovebirds whipping cream puffs?"

"I can't imagine," blathered Miss Dragon.

"What are we going to do about it?" invited Mister Gnu.

"Appoint a committee?" stammered Miss Dragon, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Gnu had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," divulged Miss Dragon glumly, 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 Gnu neatly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," alleged Miss Dragon sympathetically, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the rocking chair on her front porch, looking out over the plateau and rocking. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Gnu. Do come again."

"Just a minute," professed Mister Gnu lovingly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Miss Dragon sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," she replied tearfully.