Miss Weasel And The New Neighbor

Miss Weasel lived at a seashore in a box made of metal. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover mushroom quiche, when she heard a knock at the door.

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

She was surprised to see Mister Bear standing there, his hands on his wig. "How nice to see you, Mister Bear," Miss Weasel answered, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," roared Mister Bear. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" insisted Miss Weasel fearfully, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a Mountain Dew?"

"I can't stay," babbled Mister Bear. I just want to ask you what you think of the owl that's come to the seashore.

"I really don't know," admitted Miss Weasel. "I didn't know about any owl. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," groaned Mister Bear stupidly. "I heard that this owl likes to hurl batteries."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Bear, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the seashore when we get a lot of owls hurling batteries?"

"I can't imagine," comforted Miss Weasel.

"What are we going to do about it?" added Mister Bear.

"Appoint a committee?" urged Miss Weasel, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Bear had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," exclaimed Miss Weasel merrily, 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 Bear mysteriously. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," chimed Miss Weasel delicately, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the billiard table on her front porch, looking out over the seashore and howling. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Bear. Do come again."

"Just a minute," amended Mister Bear gently. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Miss Weasel sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," she replied cautiously.