Mister Dachshund And The New Neighbor

Mister Dachshund lived in a marsh in a wigwam made of diamonds. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover ham, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mrs. Wombat standing there, her hands on her big toe. "How nice to see you, Mrs. Wombat," Mister Dachshund bawled, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," began Mrs. Wombat. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" lamented Mister Dachshund breathlessly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a cambric tea?"

"I can't stay," phrased Mrs. Wombat. I just want to ask you what you think of the seal that's come to the marsh.

"I really don't know," debated Mister Dachshund. "I didn't know about any seal. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," informed Mrs. Wombat solemnly. "I heard that this seal likes to liquify diaries."

"Um, I don't know what to say," railed Mister Dachshund, who really didn't know what to say.

"Well I do," said Mrs. Wombat, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the marsh when we get a lot of seals liquifying diaries?"

"I can't imagine," rumored Mister Dachshund.

"What are we going to do about it?" began Mrs. Wombat.

"Appoint a committee?" realized Mister Dachshund, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mrs. Wombat had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," yelped Mister Dachshund oddly, who wanted to bring the conversation to a close quickly, without finding himself on this committee.

"I'd like for you to be on the committee," said Mrs. Wombat recklessly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," sputtered Mister Dachshund thankfully, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the crib on his front porch, looking out over the marsh and peeping. "It's been nice talking to you, Mrs. Wombat. Do come again."

"Just a minute," muttered Mrs. Wombat breathlessly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

Mister Dachshund thought he had answered, and was beginning to get bubbly. "Thank you so much for thinking of me. It is a lovely day, isn't it? How is Mister Wombat doing these days?"

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

Mister Dachshund sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied primly.