Карлсон, который живет на крыше

           "Severalthousand,"saidKarlsson."Paintthemmyselfinmysparetime.Massesoflittleroostersandbirdsandotherprettythings.I’mtheWorld’sBestRoosterPainter,"andhelandedbesideEricwithanelegant,glidingturn. 

           "Really!"saidEric."Couldn’tIcomeupwithyoutolookatyourhouseandyoursteamenginesandyourpictures?" 

           "Ofcourse,"saidKarlsson."Naturally!You’remostwelcometocome…anotherday." 

           "Soon,please,"beggedEric. 

           "Calm,becalm!"saidKarlsson."I’vegottotidyupabitfirst,butitwon’ttakelong.TheWorld’sFastestTidy-upper—guesswhothatis,"saidKarlssonwithatwinkleinhiseye. 

           "Perhapsit’syou,"saidEric. 

           "Perhaps!"shoutedKarlsson."Perhaps?Don’tdoubtitforamoment.TheWorld’sFastestTidy-upper,that’sKarlsson-on-the-Roof,andeveryoneknowsit." 

           EricwasonlytoowillingtobelievethatKarlssonwasthe"World’sBest"everything.Hewastheworld’sbestplaymate,too;youcouldcertainlysaythat.BridgetandChristopherwerelotsoffun,buttheywerenotexcitinglikeKarlsson-on-the-Roof.EricmadeuphismindtotellBridgetandChristopheraboutKarlssonnexttimetheywalkedhomefromschooltogether.ChristopherwasalwaystalkingabouthisdogJoffa.ErichadbeenjealousofChristopherforalongtimebecauseofthatdog. 

           IfhecomesoutwithstoriesabouthisoldJoffatomorrow,IshalltellhimaboutKarlsson,thoughtEric."What’sJoffanexttoKarlsson-on-the-Roof?"I’llsay.