Карлсон, который живет на крыше

           ButitwasKarlsson-on-the-Roofwhohadmadetheholes,andhewasnotallowedtosayso!Anditwasprobablybestnottosayanythingaboutthethieves,either—Mommywouldnotbelievehim.

           "Well?"saidMommywhentherewasnoreply.

           "Couldn’tyouaskBridgetinstead?"saidEricartfully.HewouldletBridgettellMommywhathadhappened—Mommywasboundtobelieveher.

           Oh,soitwasBridgetwhocutupthesheet,thoughtMommy.EricwasasplendidboynottotattlebuttoletBridgetherselfsaywhatshehaddone.MommygaveEricahug.Shedecidednottoquestionhimanymoreaboutthesheetjustnow,butshewouldcertainlytackleBridgetaboutitattheearliestopportunity.

           "YoulikeBridgetquitealot,don’tyou?"saidMommy.

           "Yes,I…"saidEric.

           Mommytookasidelongglanceatthenewspaperagain,andEricsatquietlyonherlap,thinking.Whodidhelike,really?Mommybestofall…andthenDaddy.SometimeshelikedBobbyandBetty(well,helikedthemmostofthetime…especiallyBobby)…butnowandthenhewassocrosswiththemthathesawred!HelikedKarlsson-on-the-Roof.AndhelikedBridget.Perhapshewouldmarryherwhenhewasbig:hehadtohaveawife,hesupposed,whetherhewantedtoornot.HewouldmuchrathermarryMommy,though…butmaybeitwasnotpossible.

           HethoughtagainandfeltitwouldnotbeatallnicetolivewithBridget.Shecouldprobablybeprettydifficultsometimes.Besides,hewantedtogoonlivingwithMommyandDaddy,andBobbyandBetty.Hedidnotparticularlywantawifeatall.