Miss Falcon And The New Neighbor

Miss Falcon lived in a park in a trailer made of bark. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover roast Cornish game hen, when she heard a knock at the door.

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

She was surprised to see Mister Mouse standing there, his hands on his scalp. "How nice to see you, Mister Mouse," Miss Falcon peeped, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," boasted Mister Mouse. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" whined Miss Falcon frenetically, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a grape soda?"

"I can't stay," screeched Mister Mouse. I just want to ask you what you think of the goldfish that's come to the park.

"I really don't know," barked Miss Falcon. "I didn't know about any goldfish. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," conversed Mister Mouse victoriously. "I heard that this goldfish likes to clamp avocados."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Mouse, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the park when we get a lot of goldfish clamping avocados?"

"I can't imagine," chortled Miss Falcon.

"What are we going to do about it?" demanded Mister Mouse.

"Appoint a committee?" quavered Miss Falcon, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Mouse had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," imitated Miss Falcon languidly, 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 Mouse roughly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," recited Miss Falcon dreamily, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the stairway on her front porch, looking out over the park and coming along. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Mouse. Do come again."

"Just a minute," pronounced Mister Mouse dubiously. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Miss Falcon sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," she replied urgently.