Chapter 2

           "Itoldyouhisname’sKarlssonandthathelivesontheroof,"saidEric."What’ssostrangeaboutthat?Peoplecanlivewheretheylike,can’tthey?" 

           "Nowthen,Eric,don’tbesilly,"saidMommy."Younearlyfrightenedthelifeoutofus.Youmighthavegotkilledwhenthesteamengineexploded.Don’tyourealizethat?" 

           "Yes,butallthesame,KarlssonistheWorld’sBestSteamEngineer,"saidEric,lookingsolemnlyathismother.HehadtomakeherunderstandthatyoucouldnotsayNowhentheWorld’sBestSteamEngineerofferedtostartyoursteamengine. 

           "Youmusttakeresponsibilityforyouractions,Eric,"saidDaddy,"andnotblamesomeonecalledKarlsson-on-the-Roof,whodoesnotexist." 

           "Hedoesexist,"saidEric. 

           "Andhecanfly,too,Isuppose,"saidBobbysarcastically. 

           "Whatifhecan!"saidEric."Ihopehe’llcomeback.Thenyou’llseeforyourself." 

           "Isurehopehecomestomorrow,"saidBetty."I’llgiveyouadime,Eric,ifyouletmeseeKarlsson-on-the-Roof." 

           "Idon’tthinkhe’llcometomorrow,"saidEric,"becausehe’sduetogointoagarageforservicing." 

           "Itseemstomeyouneedagoodservicing,too,"saidMommy."Justlookatthatbookshelf!" 

           "‘It’sasmallmatter,’saysKarlsson." 

           Ericspreadhishandinasuperiormanner,exactlyasKarlssonhaddone,asthoughtosaytohismotherthattalkingaboutthebookshelfwasalotoffussovernothing.Butshewasnotimpressed.