Mister Pekingese And The New Neighbor

Mister Pekingese lived on a mountain in an apartment made of chewing gum. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover corn on the cob, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mrs. Hawk standing there, her hands on her liver. "How nice to see you, Mrs. Hawk," Mister Pekingese complained, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," chortled Mrs. Hawk. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" raved Mister Pekingese dreamily, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you an ice cream soda?"

"I can't stay," boasted Mrs. Hawk. I just want to ask you what you think of the sheep that's come to the mountain.

"I really don't know," jeered Mister Pekingese. "I didn't know about any sheep. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," murmured Mrs. Hawk thoughtfully. "I heard that this sheep likes to ridicule corks."

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

"Well I do," said Mrs. Hawk, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the mountain when we get a lot of sheep ridiculing corks?"

"I can't imagine," protested Mister Pekingese.

"What are we going to do about it?" urged Mrs. Hawk.

"Appoint a committee?" shrieked Mister Pekingese, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mrs. Hawk had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," accused Mister Pekingese queerly, 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. Hawk sharply. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," growled Mister Pekingese doubtfully, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the wine rack on his front porch, looking out over the mountain and flailing. "It's been nice talking to you, Mrs. Hawk. Do come again."

"Just a minute," enunciated Mrs. Hawk delicately. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Pekingese sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied valiantly.