Карлсон, который живет на крыше

           Whenhehandeditover,hethoughtforamomentofhowhehadsavedupallthismoneytobuyadog.Hesighedalittleatthethought.ButherealizedthatwhenyouhavetobelikeamothertoKarlssonyoucan’taffordtokeepadog.

           Ericwentintothesittingroomforafewminutesonhiswayback,withthesweetswellhiddeninhistrouserspockets.Hisfamilywereallsittingthere:MommyandDaddyandBobbyandBetty,havingcoffeeafterdinner.ButtodayErichadnotimetolinger.TheideahadcrossedhismindtoaskthemtocomeandmeetKarlsson,butonsecondthoughthedecidednotto.TheywouldonlystophimfromgoingupontheroofwithKarlsson.Theyhadbetterseehimanotherday.

           Ericpickeduptwomacaroonsfromthecoffeetray(hadn’tKarlssonsaidthathewantedcakes,too?)andscuttledofftohisroom.

           "HowlongamItositandwait,illandmiserablelikethis?"askedKarlssonreproachfully."Mytemperature’sgoingupseveraldegreeseveryminute,andsoonyou’llbeabletofryaneggonme."

           "IhurriedasmuchasIcould,"saidEric."AndIboughtmasses…"

           "Butyou’vegotsomemoneyleft,haven’tyou,sothatIcanhaveapennywhenthescarftickles?"askedKarlssonanxiously.

           Ericreassuredhim.Hehadsavedtwopennies.

           Karlsson’seyesshone,andhejumpedaroundtheroomindelight.

           "Oh,I’mtheWorld’sIllest,"hesaid."We’vegottohurrytogetmeintobed."

           ItwasnotuntilnowthatEricbegantowonderhowhewasgoingtogetupontheroof,notbeingabletofly.