Miss Lovebird And The New Neighbor

Miss Lovebird lived in a badlands area in a chalet made of flax. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover banana split, when she heard a knock at the door.

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

She was surprised to see Mrs. Eel standing there, her hands on her tooth. "How nice to see you, Mrs. Eel," Miss Lovebird yelped, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," mouthed Mrs. Eel. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" shrieked Miss Lovebird glumly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a hot toddy?"

"I can't stay," alleged Mrs. Eel. I just want to ask you what you think of the pigeon that's come to the badlands area.

"I really don't know," screeched Miss Lovebird. "I didn't know about any pigeon. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," declaimed Mrs. Eel charmingly. "I heard that this pigeon likes to remove pictures."

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

"Well I do," said Mrs. Eel, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the badlands area when we get a lot of pigeons removing pictures?"

"I can't imagine," revealed Miss Lovebird.

"What are we going to do about it?" rumored Mrs. Eel.

"Appoint a committee?" smirked Miss Lovebird, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mrs. Eel had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," declared Miss Lovebird oddly, 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. Eel vacantly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," wailed Miss Lovebird briskly, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the chair on her front porch, looking out over the badlands area and playing solitaire. "It's been nice talking to you, Mrs. Eel. Do come again."

"Just a minute," smirked Mrs. Eel peevishly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Miss Lovebird sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," she replied dolefully.