Mister Camel And The New Neighbor

Mister Camel lived on a moonscape in a loft made of pipe. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover scrambled eggs, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mrs. Beagle standing there, her hands on her lip. "How nice to see you, Mrs. Beagle," Mister Camel whispered, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," murmured Mrs. Beagle. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" whined Mister Camel intensely, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a whiskey?"

"I can't stay," noted Mrs. Beagle. I just want to ask you what you think of the rattlesnake that's come to the moonscape.

"I really don't know," sniffed Mister Camel. "I didn't know about any rattlesnake. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," declared Mrs. Beagle silently. "I heard that this rattlesnake likes to grip saws."

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

"Well I do," said Mrs. Beagle, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the moonscape when we get a lot of rattlesnakes gripping saws?"

"I can't imagine," stammered Mister Camel.

"What are we going to do about it?" breathed Mrs. Beagle.

"Appoint a committee?" boomed Mister Camel, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mrs. Beagle had in mind.

"That's exactly right," said Mrs. Beagle effortlessly. "A committee to study the problem."

"Well that's a fine idea," chanted Mister Camel confidently, 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 Mrs. Beagle suddenly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," warbled Mister Camel merrily, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the futon on his front porch, looking out over the moonscape and growling. "It's been nice talking to you, Mrs. Beagle. Do come again."

"Just a minute," indicated Mrs. Beagle suddenly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Camel sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied softly.