Карлсон, который живет на крыше

           "Comewithme!"

           Theyedgedalongthegutteruntiltheyfoundthemselvesimmediatelybelowtheatticwindow.ThenKarlssoncautiouslyraisedhisheadandpeepedin.

           "Verylonelylittlechild,"hesaid."MommyandDaddyareoutgallivanting,Isee."

           Thechildweptmorebitterlythanever.

           "Calm,becalm!"saidKarlsson,heavinghimselfoverthewindowledge."HerecomesKarlsson-on-the-Roof,theWorld’sBestNursemaid."

           Ericdidnotwanttobeleftaloneoutside.HeclimbedinthewindowafterKarlsson,althoughhewonderedanxiouslywhatwouldhappenifthechild’smotherandfathercamehomesuddenly.

           ButKarlssonwasnotintheleastworried.Hewalkeduptowherethebabywaslyingandputachubbyfingerunderitschin.

           "Coo-oo,"hecrowedplayfully,andturnedtoEric."That’sthewaytotalktobabiestomakethemhappy."

           Thebabystoppedcryingfromsheerastonishment,butassoonasshehadrecoveredfromhersuprise,shestartedoffagain.

           "Coo-oo…andthenthisiswhatyoudo,"saidKarlsson,liftingthebabyoutofhercribandthrowingheruptotheceiling,timeandtimeagain.Maybethebabyenjoyedit,becausesuddenlyshegaveatoothlesslittlegrin.

           "It’saseasyaspietoamusechildren,"hesaid."TheWorld’sBestNursemai—"

           Hegotnofartherwhenthebabystartedcryingagain.

           "COO-OO-OO,"roaredKarlssonangrily,heavingthebabymoreviolentlythanevertowardtheceiling.