Карлсон, который живет на крыше

           You’rebeingbeastly!"

           Thefrontdoorbellrang,andamomentlaterMommycalledfromthehall,"Eric!BridgetandChristopherarehere."

           ThisimmediatelyputKarlssoninagoodmoodagain."We’llplaysometricksonthem,"hewhisperedtoEric."Shutthedooronme!"

           Ericshuttheclosetdoor.HehadnosoonerdonethisthanBridgetandChristophercamein.TheylivedonthesamestreetandwereinthesameclassatschoolasEric.EriclikedBridgetverymuch;hewouldoftentellMommyhowsweet-naturedshewas.HelikedChristopher,too,andhadalreadyforgivenhimforthebruiseonhisforehead.ItoftenhappenedthathefoughtwithChristopher,butafterwardtheywereasgoodfriendsasever.Asamatteroffact,itwasnotonlywithChristopherthatEricgotintofights:hehadhadfiercebattleswithalmostallthechildrenonthestreet.ButhewasalwaysongoodtermswithBridget.

           "HowisitthatyouneverfightwithBridget?"hismotheronceaskedhim.

           "’Causeshe’ssosweet,Ineverneedto,"saidEric.

           ButevenBridgetcouldbemaddeningsometimes.Yesterday,whentheywerewalkinghomefromschool,ErichadtalkedaboutKarlsson-on-the-Roof.BridgetlaughedandsaidthatKarlssonwasjustimaginationandmake-believe.Christopheragreedwithher,sothatErichadbeenobligedtopunchhim.ThatwaswhenChristopherhadthrownthestoneatEric’shead.

           Butnowtheywerehere,andChristopherhadJoffawithhim.BecauseofJoffa,EricevenforgotKarlsson,whowaslyingontheshelfinthecloset.