Chapter 4

           OfcourseTommyandAnnikawenttoschool. Eachmorningateighto’clocktheytrottedoff,handinhand,swingingtheirschoolbags. 

           AtthattimePippiwasusuallygroomingherhorseordressingMr.Nilssoninhislittlesuit. Orelseshewastakinghermorningexercises,whichmeantturningforty-threesomersaultsinarow. Thenshewouldsitdownonthekitchentableand,utterlyhappy,drinkalargecupofcoffee andeatapieceofbreadandcheese. 

           TommyandAnnikaalwayslookedlonginglytowardVillaVillekullaastheystartedofftoschool. TheywouldmuchratherhavegonetoplaywithPippi. IfonlyPippihadbeengoingtoschooltoo;thatwouldhavebeensomethingelseagain. 

           "Justthinkwhatfunwecouldhaveonthewayhomefromschool,"saidTommy. 

           "Yes,andonthewaytoschooltoo,"saidAnnika. 

           ThemoretheythoughtaboutittheworsetheyfelttothinkthatPippididnotgotoschool, andatlasttheydeterminedtotrytopersuadehertobegin. 

           "Youcan’timaginewhataniceteacherwehave,"saidTommyartfullytoPippi oneafternoonwhenheandAnnikahadcomeforavisitatVillaVillekullaaftertheyhadfinishedtheirhomework. 

           "Ifyouonlyknewwhatfunitisinschool!"Annikaadded. "I’ddieifIcouldn’tgotoschool." 

           Pippisatonahassock,bathingherfeetinatub. Shesaidnothingbutjustwiggledhertoesforawhilesothatthewatersplashedaroundeverywhere. 

           "Youdon’thavetostaysoverylong."continuedTommy."Justuntiltwoo’clock."