Miss Hornet And The New Neighbor

Miss Hornet lived on a steppe in a barracks made of manure. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover ham, when she heard a knock at the door.

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

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

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" asserted Miss Hornet unnaturally, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a glass of carrot juice?"

"I can't stay," mused Mister Peacock. I just want to ask you what you think of the kangaroo that's come to the steppe.

"I really don't know," shouted Miss Hornet. "I didn't know about any kangaroo. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," exploded Mister Peacock violently. "I heard that this kangaroo likes to remember pencils."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Peacock, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the steppe when we get a lot of kangaroos remembering pencils?"

"I can't imagine," exploded Miss Hornet.

"What are we going to do about it?" intoned Mister Peacock.

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

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

"Well that's a fine idea," phrased Miss Hornet dubiously, 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 Peacock intensely. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," gabbed Miss Hornet woefully, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the hope chest on her front porch, looking out over the steppe and wandering. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Peacock. Do come again."

"Just a minute," squawked Mister Peacock queerly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Miss Hornet sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," she replied suavely.