Chapter 2

           Annikawokeupearlythenextmorning. ShejumpedoutofbedandranovertoTommy. 

           "Wakeup,Tommy,"shecried,pullinghimbythearm. "Wakeupandlet’sgoandseethatfunnygirlwiththebigshoes." 

           Tommywaswide-awakeinaninstant. 

           "Iknew,evenwhileIwassleeping,thatsomethingexcitingwasgoingtohappentoday,butIdidn’trememberwhatitwas,"hesaidasheyankedoffhispajamajacket. Offtheywenttothebathroom,washedthemselvesandbrushedtheirteethmuchfasterthanusual, hadtheirclothesoninatwinkling,andawholehourbeforetheirmotherexpectedthemcameslidingdownthebanisterandlandedatthebreakfasttable.Downtheysat andannouncedthattheywantedtheirhotchocolaterightatthatverymoment. 

           "What’sgoingtohappentodaythatyou’reinsuchahurry?"askedtheirmother. 

           "We’regoingtoseethenewgirlnextdoor,"saidTommy. 

           "Wemaystayallday,"saidAnnika. 

           ThatmorningPippiwasbusymakingpepparkakor—akindofSwedishcookie. Shehadmadeanenormousamountofdoughandrolleditoutonthekitchenfloor. 

           "Because,"saidPippitoherlittlemonkey,"whatearthlyuseisabakingboardwhenoneplanstomakeatleastfivehundredcookies?" 

           Andthereshelayonthefloor,cuttingoutcookieheartsfordearlife. 

           "Stopclimbingaroundinthedough,Mr.Nilsson." shesaidcrosslyjustasthedoorbellrang. 

           Pippiranandopenedthedoor.Shewaswhiteasamillerfromtoptotoe,andwhensheshookhandsheartilywithTommyandAnnikaawholecloudofflourblewoverthem.