Miss Ox And The New Neighbor

Miss Ox lived in an arroyo in a dugout made of chewing gum. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover fried chicken, when she heard a knock at the door.

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

She was surprised to see Mister Finch standing there, his hands on his big toe. "How nice to see you, Mister Finch," Miss Ox acknowledged, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," crooned Mister Finch. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" observed Miss Ox positively, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a Jack Daniel's?"

"I can't stay," imitated Mister Finch. I just want to ask you what you think of the bunny that's come to the arroyo.

"I really don't know," interrupted Miss Ox. "I didn't know about any bunny. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," lectured Mister Finch perkily. "I heard that this bunny likes to hook ironing boards."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Finch, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the arroyo when we get a lot of bunnies hooking ironing boards?"

"I can't imagine," breathed Miss Ox.

"What are we going to do about it?" cackled Mister Finch.

"Appoint a committee?" winked Miss Ox, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Finch had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," burbled Miss Ox recklessly, 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 Finch lovingly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," burbled Miss Ox lightly, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the pool table on her front porch, looking out over the arroyo and chanting. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Finch. Do come again."

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

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

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

Miss Ox sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," she replied timidly.