Chapter 3

           ItwasadifficultmomentforEric.Mommydidnotlikehermeatballstobeusedasornaments,andsheseemedtothinkthatitwasEricwhohaddecoratedthetower.

           "Karlsson-on-the-Roof…"beganEric,butDaddycuthimshortwithastern,"That’squiteenoughaboutKarlsson,Eric."

           BettyandBobbyonlylaughed.

           "SomeKarlsson!"saidBobby."Sohehadtogoandsneakoffjustwhenwewantedtoseehim!"

           SadlyEricateupthemeatballandputhisbuildingblocksaway.ItwasnousetalkingaboutKarlssonanymorenow.Buthedidmisshim—hemissedhimverymuch.

           "Let’shaveourcoffeeandnotbotheranymoreaboutKarlsson,"saidDaddy,strokingEric’scheekgently.

           Theyalwaysdranktheircoffeeinfrontofthefireinthesittingroom.Andsotheydidtonight,althoughitwasawarm,light,springeveningandthelimetreesalongthestreetwerealreadycoveredwithsmallgreenleaves.Ericdidnotlikecoffee,buthelikedtositwithMommy,Daddy,Bobby,andBettyinfrontofthefire.

           "Shutyoureyes,Mommy,"saidEricwhenhismotherhadputthecoffeetraydownonthelittletablebesidethefireplace.

           "Whydoyouwantmetoshutmyeyes?"

           "Becauseyousaidyoudidn’twanttoseemeeatingsugar,andIthinkI’llhavealumpnow,"saidEric.

           Heneededsomethingtocomforthim,hefeltthatquiteplainly.WhyhadKarlssongone?Itwasnotaproperthingtodo,todisappearandleavenothingbehindexceptasmallmeatball.

           Ericwassittinginhisfavoriteplacebythegrate,asclosetothefireashecouldget.