Miss Mink And The New Neighbor

Miss Mink lived on a seacoast in a geodesic dome made of recycled newspaper. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover strawberry shortcake, when she heard a knock at the door.

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

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

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" argued Miss Mink tenderly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a cup of cocoa?"

"I can't stay," shuddered Mister Hornet. I just want to ask you what you think of the rabbit that's come to the seacoast.

"I really don't know," offered Miss Mink. "I didn't know about any rabbit. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," stammered Mister Hornet nonchalantly. "I heard that this rabbit likes to deliver coffee pots."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Hornet, 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 rabbits delivering coffee pots?"

"I can't imagine," declared Miss Mink.

"What are we going to do about it?" raved Mister Hornet.

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

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

"Well that's a fine idea," blustered Miss Mink irritably, 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 Hornet stupidly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," trumpeted Miss Mink openly, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the china hutch on her front porch, looking out over the seacoast and typing. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Hornet. Do come again."

"Just a minute," yawned Mister Hornet curiously. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Miss Mink sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," she replied fearlessly.