Mister Ghost And The New Neighbor

Mister Ghost lived on a seacoast in a wigwam made of seashells. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover ravioli, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Fox standing there, his hands on his ankle. "How nice to see you, Mister Fox," Mister Ghost expressed, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," insisted Mister Fox. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" enunciated Mister Ghost cruelly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you an Alka-Seltzer?"

"I can't stay," spewed Mister Fox. I just want to ask you what you think of the doggie that's come to the seacoast.

"I really don't know," fumed Mister Ghost. "I didn't know about any doggie. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," groaned Mister Fox blindly. "I heard that this doggie likes to probe handkerchiefs."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Fox, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the seacoast when we get a lot of doggies probing handkerchiefs?"

"I can't imagine," boomed Mister Ghost.

"What are we going to do about it?" cajoled Mister Fox.

"Appoint a committee?" wept Mister Ghost, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Fox had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," expressed Mister Ghost steadily, 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 Fox resignedly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," prattled Mister Ghost obediently, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the chair on his front porch, looking out over the seacoast and lounging. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Fox. Do come again."

"Just a minute," boasted Mister Fox sagely. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Ghost sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied cautiously.