Miss Peacock And The New Neighbor

Miss Peacock lived on a seacoast in a spa made of fairy dust. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover catfish stew, when she heard a knock at the door.

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

She was surprised to see Mister Mare standing there, his hands on his kneecap. "How nice to see you, Mister Mare," Miss Peacock stuttered, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," howled Mister Mare. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" simpered Miss Peacock steadily, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a 7-Up?"

"I can't stay," screamed Mister Mare. I just want to ask you what you think of the rhinoceros that's come to the seacoast.

"I really don't know," revealed Miss Peacock. "I didn't know about any rhinoceros. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," rebutted Mister Mare blindly. "I heard that this rhinoceros likes to darken clipboards."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Mare, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the seacoast when we get a lot of rhinoceroses darkening clipboards?"

"I can't imagine," decided Miss Peacock.

"What are we going to do about it?" thought Mister Mare.

"Appoint a committee?" questioned Miss Peacock, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Mare had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," giggled Miss Peacock brightly, 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 Mare curiously. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," repeated Miss Peacock pitifully, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the futon on her front porch, looking out over the seacoast and hiccuping. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Mare. Do come again."

"Just a minute," belched Mister Mare valiantly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Miss Peacock sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," she replied lamely.