Карлсон, который живет на крыше

           Thiscoffeetimeafterdinnerwasnearlythenicestpartofthewholeday.YoucouldtalktoMommyandDaddy,andtheylistenedtowhatyouhadtosay.Otherwisetheydidnotalwayshavetimetolisten.Itwasfun,too,hearingBettyandBobbyteasingeachotherandtalkingimportantlyaboutschool.Theirschoolwasevidentlydifferent,andamoreimportantkindthanthegradeschoolthatEricattended.Helongedtotellthemallabouthisschool,butnooneexceptMommyandDaddywasinterestedinwhathappenedthere.BobbyandBettyonlylaughed,andEricwascarefultoavoidsayinganythingthatwouldmakeBobbyandBettylaughinthatannoyingway.Therewasnotmuchuseintheirtryingtoteasehim;hewasanexpertatteasingback—youhadtobewithabrotherlikeBobbyandasisterlikeBetty.

           "Well,Eric,wasyourhomeworkdoneproperlyfortoday?"askedMommy.

           ThiswasnotthekindoftalkthatEricliked,butsinceMommyhadsaidnothingaboutthatlumpofsugar,hehadbetterputupwithherquestioning,hesupposed.

           "Oh,yes,myhomeworkwasallcorrect,"heansweredglumly.

           AllthetimehewasthinkingofKarlsson.HowcouldanybodyexpecthimtorememberabouthishomeworkwhenhewaswonderingwhathadhappenedtoKarlsson?

           "Whatdidyouhaveforhomework?"askedDaddy.

           Ericwasannoyed.Whycouldn’ttheystoptalkingaboutschool?Youdidnotsitcozilyinfrontofthefiresopeoplecouldtalkabouthomework.

           "Theninetimes-table,"saidEricbriefly."Thewholeofit,andIknowit—ninetimesone,andthencomealltherest."