Карлсон, который живет на крыше

           Dogsarethenicestcreaturesonearth,thoughtEric.Joffajumpedandbarked,andEricclungtohisneck,pettinghim.Christopherstood,calmlywatching.Heknew,ofcourse,thatJoffawashisdogandnobodyelse’s,sohemightaswellletEricpethimasmuchasheliked.

           WhileEricwasbusypettingJoffa,Bridgetstoodlookingaround."WherehaveyougotyouroldKarlsson-on-the-Roof?"shesaid,teasinghim."Wethoughthe’dbehere!"

           ItwasnotuntilthenthatEricrememberedthatKarlssonwaslyingontheshelfinthecloset.ButsincehedidnotknowwhattricksKarlssonhaddecidedtoplaythistime,hecouldnottellBridgetandChristopher.Soheonlysaid,"Shutup!YousaidKarlsson-on-the-Roofwasmake-believe.Youtoldmeyesterdaythathe’sonlyaninvention."

           "Andheis,isn’the?"saidBridget,laughing,andasshelaughedthedimplesappearedinhercheeks.

           "Asithappens,heisn’t,"Ericreplied.

           "Ofcourseheis,"saidChristopher.

           "Ofcourseheisn’t,"saidEric.

           Hewonderedifitwasanyusegoingonwiththis"sensiblediscussion,"orifitwouldn’tbebettertogiveChristopherablackeyerightthen.Butbeforehehadtimetodecide,aloudandclear"Cock-a-doodle-do"washeardfromthedepthsofthecloset.

           "Whatwasthat?"saidBridget,andhermouth,whichwassmallandredlikeacherry,openedinastonishment.

           "Cock-a-doodle-do,"theyheardoncemore,anditsoundedexactlylikearealrooster.

           "Haveyougotaroosterinthecloset?"askedChristopher,surprised.Joffagrowled.