Miss Elk And The New Neighbor

Miss Elk lived in a garden in a Victorian mansion made of recycled newspaper. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover popcorn, when she heard a knock at the door.

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

She was surprised to see Mister Mouse standing there, his hands on his scalp. "How nice to see you, Mister Mouse," Miss Elk taunted, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," commented Mister Mouse. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" swore Miss Elk dolorously, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a cup of bouillon?"

"I can't stay," trumpeted Mister Mouse. I just want to ask you what you think of the swan that's come to the garden.

"I really don't know," snorted Miss Elk. "I didn't know about any swan. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," shrieked Mister Mouse ignobly. "I heard that this swan likes to unlock stuffed owls."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Mouse, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the garden when we get a lot of swans unlocking stuffed owls?"

"I can't imagine," cackled Miss Elk.

"What are we going to do about it?" spouted Mister Mouse.

"Appoint a committee?" blathered Miss Elk, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Mouse had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," declaimed Miss Elk sheepishly, 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 Mouse cruelly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," articulated Miss Elk oddly, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the fainting couch on her front porch, looking out over the garden and scribbling. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Mouse. Do come again."

"Just a minute," raved Mister Mouse testily. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Miss Elk sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," she replied properly.