Карлсон, который живет на крыше

           "Thinkofit!WhenIwalkalongtheroofintheeveningsandit’sverydark,Icanswitchthisonandfindthewaytomylittlehouseandnotgetlostamongthechimneytops,"hesaid,givingthelightapat.

           EricfeltverycontentwhenheheardKarlssonsaythis.HeonlywishedthathemightbeallowedtoaccompanyKarlssonsometimeononeofhisroofwalksandwatchhimshinethelightinthedarkness.

           "Hi-ho,Eric!NowI’mhappyagain,"saidKarlsson."Bringyourmommyanddaddytoseeme."

           "They’vegonetothemovies,"saidEric.

           "Gonetothemovies!Whentheycouldhaveseenme?"saidKarlssoninastonishment.

           "Yes,there’sonlyBettyathome…andhernewboyfriend.They’reinthesittingroom,andI’mnotallowedinthere."

           "What’sthisIhear?"shoutedKarlsson."Aren’tyouallowedtogowhereyoulike?Idon’tintendustoputupwiththisforonesingleinstant.Youcomealong…"

           "ButI’vepromised,"saidEric.

           "AndIpromisethatwherethere’saninjustice,Karlssonisdownonitlikeatonofbricks,"saidKarlsson.

           HewentoverandpattedEricontheshoulder.

           "Whatexactlydidyoupromise?"

           "Ipromisednottoshowmyselfinthesittingroomallevening."

           "Well,then,you’renotgoingtoshowyourselfeither,"saidKarlsson."ButyouwouldliketoseeBetty’snewboyfriend,wouldn’tyou?"

           "Oh!Iwould,"saidEriceagerly."Shehadonebeforewithterriblysticking-outears.I’dliketoseewhatsortofearsthisnewone’sgot."