by David Bolton
***
“Oh, Humpy!” Milly walked over to Bumpy’s pal, who was having a drink with Meppy, and said to him in a loud voice so that he could hear her over the noise of the crowd, “It’s been two hours now, and Bumpy still isn’t back. I’m getting worried!”
“Well, I wouldn’t worry if I were you,” Humpy tried to cover for his friend. “Those business meetings can really get stretched out sometimes, especially when it comes to negotiating a final deal. I’m sure Bumpy will be back before long. Here, let me buy you another drink.” He and Meppy led Milly to the nearest refreshment stand and bought her a eucalyptus drink – drink, not liquor, since Milly preferred to keep her wits about her – paying the vendor five walnuts.
Dumpy and Silly, who were leaning against a tree between dances, looked over to their friends. “Uh, gee Silly, I guess Milly is worried or somethin’, since Bumpy isn’t back yet, huh uh huh.”
“Oh, he’ll be back. Didn’t you see how well he was getting along with Milly? Hee hee hee!”
“Huh uh huh, yeah, I guess you’re right. You and me get along pretty well, too, don’t we? Huh uh huh,” Dumpy asked shyly.
“Now that you mention it – hee hee heee! – I think we do, too!” Silly replied and gave Dumpy a quick but tender kiss on his nose.
“Gee, Silly, huh uh huh, you’re real nice,” Dumpy blushed a bit and stroked Silly’s shoulder gently. “Oh, they’re startin’ to play another song. Do you wanna go over and dance again?”
“Oh, I’d just love to, Dumpy, hee hee hee!”