Пеппи Длинныйчулок

           "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.