Miss Beagle And The New Neighbor

Miss Beagle lived in a park in a Cape Cod made of flour paste. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover crab rangoon, when she heard a knock at the door.

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

She was surprised to see Mrs. Computer standing there, her hands on her earlobe. "How nice to see you, Mrs. Computer," Miss Beagle uttered, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," prattled Mrs. Computer. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" babbled Miss Beagle brightly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a soda?"

"I can't stay," revealed Mrs. Computer. I just want to ask you what you think of the polar bear that's come to the park.

"I really don't know," sneered Miss Beagle. "I didn't know about any polar bear. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," yowled Mrs. Computer swiftly. "I heard that this polar bear likes to prod spools of thread."

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

"Well I do," said Mrs. Computer, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the park when we get a lot of polar bears prodding spools of thread?"

"I can't imagine," interrupted Miss Beagle.

"What are we going to do about it?" croaked Mrs. Computer.

"Appoint a committee?" revealed Miss Beagle, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mrs. Computer had in mind.

"That's exactly right," said Mrs. Computer joyously. "A committee to study the problem."

"Well that's a fine idea," mentioned Miss Beagle obediently, 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 Mrs. Computer hopelessly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," conversed Miss Beagle sharply, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the umbrella stand on her front porch, looking out over the park and preaching. "It's been nice talking to you, Mrs. Computer. Do come again."

"Just a minute," acknowledged Mrs. Computer fearlessly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Miss Beagle sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," she replied courageously.