Chapter 9

           Tommy’sandAnnika’smotherhadinvitedafewladiestoacoffeeparty, andasshehaddoneplentyofbaking,shethoughtTommyandAnnikamightinvitePippioveratthesametime. Thechildrenwouldentertaineachotherandgivenotroubletoanyone. 

           TommyandAnnikawereoverjoyedwhentheirmothertoldthemandimmediatelydashedovertoPippi’stoinviteher. Pippiwasinthegarden,wateringthefewflowersstillinbloomwithanoldrustywateringcan. AsitwasrainingcatsanddogsthatdayTommytoldPippiherwateringseemedhardlynecessary. 

           "Yes,that’swhatyousay,"saidPippigrudgingly, "butI’velainawakeallnightthinkingwhatfunitwasgoingtobetogetupandwater,andI’mnotgoingtoletalittlerainstandinmyway." 

           NowAnnikacameforthwiththedelightfulnewsaboutthecoffeeparty. 

           "Acoffeeparty!Me!"criedPippi,andshewassoexcitedthatshebegantowaterTommyinsteadoftherosebushsheintendedtosprinkle. "Oh,whatwillhappen?Oh,I’msonervous. WhatifIcan’tbehavemyself?" 

           "Ofcourseyoucan,"saidAnnika. 

           "Don’tyoubetoocertainaboutthat,"saidPippi. "YoucanbesureI’lltry,butIhavenoticedseveraltimesthatpeopledon’tthinkIknowhowtobehaveevenwhenI’mtryingashardasIcan. Atseawewereneversofussyaboutthingslikethat. ButIpromisethatI’lltakespecialpainstodaysoyouwon’thavetobeashamedofme." 

           "Good,"saidTommy,andheandAnnikahurriedhomeagainintherain.