Пеппи Длинныйчулок

           ItwasTuesday,Grandmothersaid. Asearlyasfiveo’clockonTuesdaymorningyoucouldhearthisjewelofamaidinthekitchen,breakingchina. Shebeganwiththecoffeecups andglassesandlittlethingslikethatandthenwentontothesoupbowlsanddinnerplates, andshefinishedupwithplattersandsouptureens. Therewassuchacrashbanginthekitchenallmorningthatitwasajoytohearit,Grandmothersaid. AndifMalinhadanysparetimelateintheafternoon,shewouldgointothedrawingroomwithalittlehammerandknockdowntheantiqueEastIndianplatesthatwerehangingonthewalls. GrandmotherboughtnewchinaeveryWednesday,"saidPippianddisappearedupthestairsasquicklyasajack-in-the-box. 

           ButnowMrs.Settergen’spatiencehadcometoanend. Sheranupthestairs,intothenursery,anduptoPippi, whohadjustbeguntoteachTommytostandonhishead. 

           "Youmustnevercomehereagain,"saidMrs.Settergren,"ifyoucan’tbehaveanybetterthanthis." 

           Pippilookedatherinastonishmentandhereyesslowlyfilledwithtears. "That’sjustwhatIwasafraidof,"shesaid. "ThatIcouldn’tbehaveproperly.It’snousetotry;I’llneverlearn. Ishouldhavestayedontheocean." 

           ShecurtsiedtoMrs.Settergren,saidgood-bytoTommyandAnnika,andwentslowlydownthestairs. 

           Theladieswerenowgettingreadytogohometoo. Pippisatdowninthehallneartheshelfwhererubberswerekeptandwatchedtheladiesputtingontheirhatsandcoats. 

           "Toobadyoudon’tlikeyourmaids,"saidshe.