Карлсон, который живет на крыше

           Thechildrenheavedasighofrelief,buttoosoon.

           Eric’smotherandfathersometimeswentforawalkintheevenings;Mommycalledfromthehall,"Good-byfornow!BridgetandChristophercanstayuntileighto’clock,andthenyou’retogostraighttobed,Eric.I’llcomeandsaygoodnightlater."

           Theyheardthehalldoorslam.

           "Shedidn’tsayhowlongIcouldstay,"saidKarlsson,pouting."It’snotfair,andI’mgoinghomenow."

           "Youcanstayaslongasyoulike,"saidEric.

           Karlssonpoutedmorethanever."Whyshouldn’tIbeturnedoutateighto’clocklikeotherpeople?"saidKarlsson."I’mgoing…"

           "I’llaskMommytoturnyououtateighto’clock,"saidEricquickly."Whatgameshallweplay?"

           SuddenlyKarlsson’sbadtemperwasgone."Let’splayghostandfrightenthelifeoutofpeople,"hesaid."You’venoideawhatIcandowithonlyasmallsheet.Ifthey’dgivenmeapennyforeveryonethatI’vefrightenedtodeath,Icouldhaveboughtavastamountoftoffee.I’mtheWorld’sBestGhost,"saidKarlsson,hiseyesshiningwithfun.

           Eric,Bridget,andChristopherwantedverymuchtoplayghost,butEricsaid,"Wedon’thavetobetooterriblyfrightening,dowe?"

           "Calm,becalm!"saidKarlsson."Youdon’thavetoteachtheWorld’sBestGhostanythingaboutghostliness.Ishallonlyfrightenthemtodeathalittle.They’llhardlynoticeit."KarlssonwentovertoEric’sbedandpulledawaythetopsheet.