Карлсон, который живет на крыше

           ItalmostsoundedasiftheywereKarlsson’sownscoundrels;theycouldn’tverywellbethat,but,allthesame,Ericcertainlywantedtoseethem.

           Thereweresoundsofnoisytalkingandlaughingcomingfromthescoundrels’attic."Mirthandjoy!"saidKarlsson."Comealong,let’sseewhat’ssofunny."

           Theycreptalongthegutterpipe.Karlssonraisedhisheadandpeepedin.Thecurtainsweredrawn,buttherewasagapthatyoucouldseethrough.

           "Thescoundrelshaveavisitor,"whisperedKarlsson.

           Ericalsohadapeepatthem.Thereweretwomensittingtherewhohadtheappearanceoftoughcharacters,andameek-lookinglittlemanwhomighthavecomefromthecountrytownwhereGrannielived.

           "DoyouknowwhatIthink?"whisperedKarlsson."Ithinkthesescoundrelsareplayingtricksaswellasme.Butthey’dbetternot!"

           Hetookanotherpeep.

           "I’mjollysurethey’replayingtricksonthatpoorfellowintheredtie,"hewhisperedtoEric.

           Thescoundrelsandthemanintheredtieweresittingatasmalltablenearthewindow.Theywereeatinganddrinking,andthescoundrelswerepattingtheoneintheredtiecordiallyontheshoulder,saying,"We’reverygladwemetyou,Oscar!"

           "I’mveryglad,too,"saidOscar."Whenyoucometoatownlikethis,it’sreallymostimportanttofindgoodfriendsthatyoucanrelyon.Otherwisenooneknowswhatmighthappen.Youmighteasilyfallintothehandsofrogues."

           Thescoundrelsnodded.

           "Yes,indeed,youmighthavecomeupagainstrogues,"saidone.