Miss Lynx And The New Neighbor

Miss Lynx lived on a butte in a chalet made of hair. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover enchiladas, when she heard a knock at the door.

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

She was surprised to see Mrs. Hermit crab standing there, her hands on her head. "How nice to see you, Mrs. Hermit crab," Miss Lynx groveled, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," avowed Mrs. Hermit crab. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" squawked Miss Lynx effortlessly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a daiquiri?"

"I can't stay," croaked Mrs. Hermit crab. I just want to ask you what you think of the gnu that's come to the butte.

"I really don't know," shuddered Miss Lynx. "I didn't know about any gnu. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," emphasized Mrs. Hermit crab elatedly. "I heard that this gnu likes to vacuum Lego sets."

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

"Well I do," said Mrs. Hermit crab, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the butte when we get a lot of gnus vacuuming Lego sets?"

"I can't imagine," interrupted Miss Lynx.

"What are we going to do about it?" imitated Mrs. Hermit crab.

"Appoint a committee?" offered Miss Lynx, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mrs. Hermit crab had in mind.

"That's exactly right," said Mrs. Hermit crab merrily. "A committee to study the problem."

"Well that's a fine idea," pronounced Miss Lynx dolefully, 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. Hermit crab offhandedly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," crooned Miss Lynx breathlessly, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the rug on her front porch, looking out over the butte and sneezing. "It's been nice talking to you, Mrs. Hermit crab. Do come again."

"Just a minute," disputed Mrs. Hermit crab innocently. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Miss Lynx sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," she replied crossly.