Пеппи Длинныйчулок
Chapter 9
"Thisafternoonatthreeo’clock,don’tforget,"criedAnnika, peekingoutfromundertheumbrella.
Atthreeo’clockaverystylishyoungladywalkedupthestepsoftheSettergrens’house.ItwasPippiLongstocking. Forthisspecialoccasionshehadunbraidedherpigtails,andherredhairhunglikealion’smanearoundher.
Withredcrayonshehadpaintedhermouthfieryredandshehadblackenedhereyebrowssothatshelookedalmostdangerous. Withthecrayonshehadalsopaintedherfingernails,andshehadputbiggreenrosettesonhershoes.
"IshouldimagineI’llbethemoststylishpersonofallatthisparty,"shesaidcontentedlytoherselfassherangthedoorbell.
IntheSettergrens’livingroomsatthreefineladies,andwiththemTommy,Annika,andtheirmother. Awonderfulcoffeetablehadbeenspread, andinthefireplaceafirewasburningbrightly. Theladiesweretalkingquietlywithoneanother,andTommyandAnnikaweresittingonthesofa,lookingatanalbum. Everythingwassopeaceful.
Suddenlythepeacewasshattered.
"Atten-shun!" Apiercingcrycamefromthehall,andthenextminutePippiLongstockingstoodinthedoorway. Shehadcriedoutsoloudlyandsounexpectedlythattheladieshadjumpedintheirseats.
"Forwardmarch!"camethenextcommand,andPippi,withmeasuredsteps,walkeduptoMrs.Settergren.
"Halt!"Shestopped."Armsforward,one,two,shecriedandwithbothhandsgrippedoneofMrs.Settagrennsandshookitheartily.
