Miss Goblin And The New Neighbor

Miss Goblin lived on a plain in a chalet made of starch. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover steak, when she heard a knock at the door.

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

She was surprised to see Mister Partridge standing there, his hands on his front tooth. "How nice to see you, Mister Partridge," Miss Goblin chattered, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," stormed Mister Partridge. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" demanded Miss Goblin admiringly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a glass of milk?"

"I can't stay," piped up Mister Partridge. I just want to ask you what you think of the chameleon that's come to the plain.

"I really don't know," groaned Miss Goblin. "I didn't know about any chameleon. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," urged Mister Partridge anxiously. "I heard that this chameleon likes to refine chamber pots."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Partridge, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the plain when we get a lot of chameleons refining chamber pots?"

"I can't imagine," divulged Miss Goblin.

"What are we going to do about it?" continued Mister Partridge.

"Appoint a committee?" maintained Miss Goblin, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Partridge had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," continued Miss Goblin boisterously, 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 Partridge cautiously. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," wept Miss Goblin cautiously, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the safe on her front porch, looking out over the plain and playing Farmer in the Dell. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Partridge. Do come again."

"Just a minute," vouched Mister Partridge lazily. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Miss Goblin sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," she replied strangely.