Miss Dingo And The New Neighbor

Miss Dingo lived in a backyard in a parsonage made of paper. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover ravioli, when she heard a knock at the door.

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

She was surprised to see Mister Pekingese standing there, his hands on his earlobe. "How nice to see you, Mister Pekingese," Miss Dingo smirked, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," fretted Mister Pekingese. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" harangued Miss Dingo pityingly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you an old fashioned?"

"I can't stay," announced Mister Pekingese. I just want to ask you what you think of the newt that's come to the backyard.

"I really don't know," piped up Miss Dingo. "I didn't know about any newt. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," burbled Mister Pekingese speedily. "I heard that this newt likes to categorize mops."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Pekingese, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the backyard when we get a lot of newts categorizing mops?"

"I can't imagine," mumbled Miss Dingo.

"What are we going to do about it?" persisted Mister Pekingese.

"Appoint a committee?" mouthed Miss Dingo, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Pekingese had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," mouthed Miss Dingo sourly, 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 Pekingese neatly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," jeered Miss Dingo lovingly, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the hammock on her front porch, looking out over the backyard and glowering. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Pekingese. Do come again."

"Just a minute," judged Mister Pekingese reluctantly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Miss Dingo sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," she replied despondently.