Miss Hawk And The New Neighbor

Miss Hawk lived in a marsh in a wikiup made of money. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover lobster bisque, when she heard a knock at the door.

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

She was surprised to see Mister Leopard standing there, his hands on his chin. "How nice to see you, Mister Leopard," Miss Hawk smiled, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," remarked Mister Leopard. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" hinted Miss Hawk happily, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a hot toddy?"

"I can't stay," harangued Mister Leopard. I just want to ask you what you think of the dingo that's come to the marsh.

"I really don't know," fantasized Miss Hawk. "I didn't know about any dingo. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," groveled Mister Leopard quietly. "I heard that this dingo likes to hide pink flamingoes."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Leopard, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the marsh when we get a lot of dingoes hiding pink flamingoes?"

"I can't imagine," breathed Miss Hawk.

"What are we going to do about it?" murmured Mister Leopard.

"Appoint a committee?" rumored Miss Hawk, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Leopard had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," avowed Miss Hawk carelessly, 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 Leopard narrowly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," repeated Miss Hawk timidly, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the end table on her front porch, looking out over the marsh and chuckling. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Leopard. Do come again."

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

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

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

Miss Hawk sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," she replied noisily.