Miss Fox And The New Neighbor

Miss Fox lived on a steppe in a motor home made of hemp. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover banana split, when she heard a knock at the door.

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

She was surprised to see Mister Squirrel standing there, his hands on his head. "How nice to see you, Mister Squirrel," Miss Fox boasted, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," added Mister Squirrel. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" brought up Miss Fox reluctantly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a Moscow mule?"

"I can't stay," invited Mister Squirrel. I just want to ask you what you think of the tiger that's come to the steppe.

"I really don't know," blustered Miss Fox. "I didn't know about any tiger. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," spouted Mister Squirrel sternly. "I heard that this tiger likes to condemn potatoes."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Squirrel, 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 tigers condemning potatoes?"

"I can't imagine," called Miss Fox.

"What are we going to do about it?" tittered Mister Squirrel.

"Appoint a committee?" guessed Miss Fox, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Squirrel had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," smiled Miss Fox gruffly, 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 Squirrel fiercely. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," quavered Miss Fox ruefully, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the armoire on her front porch, looking out over the steppe and playing. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Squirrel. Do come again."

"Just a minute," screamed Mister Squirrel strictly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

Miss Fox 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. Squirrel doing these days?"

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

Miss Fox sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," she replied courteously.