Chapter 10

           OneSundayafternoonPippisatwonderingwhattodo. TommyandAnnikahadgonetoateapartywiththeirmotherandfather,sosheknewshecouldn’texpectavisitfromthem. 

           Thedayhadbeenfilledwithpleasanttasks. ShehadgotupearlyandservedMr.Nilssonfruitjuiceandbunsinbed. Helookedsocutesittingthereinhislightbluenightshirt,holdingtheglassinbothhands. Thenshehadfedandgroomedthehorseandtoldhimalongstoryofheradventuresatsea. Nextshehadgoneintotheparlorandpaintedalargepictureonthewall-paper.Thepicturerepresentedafatladyinareddressandablackhat. Inonehandsheheldayellowflowerandintheotheradeadrat. Pippithoughtitaverybeautifulpicture;itdressedupthewholeroom. Thenshehadsatdowninfrontofherchestandlookedatallherbirds’eggsandshells, andthoughtaboutthewonderfulplaceswheresheandherfatherhadcollectedthem,andaboutallthepleasantlittleshopsallovertheworldwheretheyhadboughtthebeautifulthingsthatwerenowinthedrawersofherchest. ThenshehadtriedtoteachMr.Nilssontodancetheschottische, buthedidn’twanttolearn. Forawhileshehadthoughtoftryingtoteachthehorse, butinsteadshehadcreptdownintothewoodboxandpulledthecoverdown. Shehadpretendedshewasasardineinasardinebox,anditwasashameTommyandAnnikaweren’ttheresotheycouldhavebeensardinestoo. 

           Nowithadbeguntogrowdark. Shepressedherlittlepugnoseagainstthewindowpane andlookedoutintotheautumndusk.