Карлсон, который живет на крыше

           Iftheydiddiscoverhewasgone,hecouldalwayssaythat,afterall,hehadwrittenthemthatnote.

           Karlssonwasreadytostart.Heturnedthebuttoninhismiddleandtheenginebegantohum.

           "Jumpup!"heshouted."We’reoff!"

           Theycertainlywere—outthroughthewindowandupintheair.Karlssontookalittleextraflightoverthenearestrooftopstomakesurethattheenginewasworkingproperly.Itchuffedveryevenlyandwell,andEricwasnotintheleastfrightened.Onthecontrary,hethoughtitwasfun.

           AtlastKarlssonlandedontheirownroof.

           "Nowwe’llseeifyoucanfindmyhouse,"saidKarlsson."Iwon’ttellyouthatit’sbehindthechimney;you’llhavetofinditforyourself."

           Erichadneverbeenonaroofbefore.Butsometimeshehadseenmenupthere,repairingtiles,andwalkingaboutwithropesaroundtheirwaiststokeepthemfromfallingoff.Erichadalwaysthoughthowluckytheyweretobedoingthat.Butthistimehehimselfwasjustaslucky,althoughhedidnothavearopearoundhiswaist,ofcourse,andhehadaflutteryfeelingashecarefullymadehiswaytowardthechimney.BehindthechimneystoodKarlsson’slittlehouse,justashehadsaid.Howprettyitlookedwithitsgreenshuttersandlittlestepsthatyoucouldsitdownonifyouwantedto.ButatthemomentEricwaschieflyintentongettinginsidethehousetoseeallthesteamenginesandpicturesandeverythingelsethatKarlssonhadthere.

           Therewasabrassplateonthedoortoshowwholivedthere.