Mister Beetle And The New Neighbor

Mister Beetle lived at a seashore in a nunnery made of lace. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover sweet potatoes, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Dolphin standing there, his hands on his claw. "How nice to see you, Mister Dolphin," Mister Beetle reacted, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," cried Mister Dolphin. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" whined Mister Beetle queerly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a glass of wine?"

"I can't stay," called Mister Dolphin. I just want to ask you what you think of the mole that's come to the seashore.

"I really don't know," sputtered Mister Beetle. "I didn't know about any mole. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," comforted Mister Dolphin lickety-split. "I heard that this mole likes to pinch microphones."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Dolphin, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the seashore when we get a lot of moles pinching microphones?"

"I can't imagine," pronounced Mister Beetle.

"What are we going to do about it?" exploded Mister Dolphin.

"Appoint a committee?" quoted Mister Beetle, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Dolphin had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," pleaded Mister Beetle daintily, 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 Mister Dolphin strangely. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," recited Mister Beetle sarcastically, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the catbird seat on his front porch, looking out over the seashore and sweating. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Dolphin. Do come again."

"Just a minute," expressed Mister Dolphin slyly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Beetle sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied crankily.