Карлсон, который живет на крыше

           Erichadtogo,althoughhewouldmuchratherhavestayedtowatchtheWorld’sBestBuilding-Erectoratwork.

           ThelastthinghesawasheturnedaroundinthedoorwaywasKarlsson,sittingonthefloor,singinghappilytohimself,"Hooray,howcleverIam…hooray,howsensibleIam…andjustplumpenough…hmm!"

           Thelastpartwashummedasecondafterhehadswallowedthefourthmeatball.

           MommyandDaddy,BettyandBobbywerealreadysittingatthetable.Ericslippedintohisplaceandunfoldedhisnapkin.

           "Promisemesomething,Mommy—andyou,too,Daddy,"hesaid.

           "Whatdoyouwantustopromise?"askedMommy.

           "Promisefirst,"saidEric.

           Daddywasratherreluctanttomakeavaguepromise."Whoknows?Perhapsyouwantmetogiveyouadogagain,"hesaid.

           "No,itisn’tadog,"saidEric,"thoughIwouldn’tmindifyoupromisedmeone.No,it’ssomethingelse,andit’seasy.Promisethatyoupromise!"

           "Verywell,wepromise,"saidMommy.

           "Allright.Nowyou’vepromisednottosayanythingtoKarlsson-on-the-Roofaboutthesteamengine,"saidEric,pleased.

           "Ha,"saidBetty."HowcouldtheysayanythingtoKarlssonwhentheyneverseehim?"

           "Theywill,"saidErictriumphantly."Afterdinner.He’sinmyroom."

           "Gosh,Ithinkameatballgotstuckinmythroat,"saidBobby."Karlsson’sinyourroom,didyousay?"

           "Hecertainlyis."

           ThiswasthehouroftriumphforEric.Ifonlytheywouldhurryupandfinisheating,thentheywouldsee…

           Mommysmiledalittle