Карлсон, который живет на крыше

           HewaswearingEric’sfather’stophat,andfromhisshouldershungMommy’scheckedapron,thestringstiedunderhischininaneatbow.Theapronwasintendedtobeoneofthoseblackcloaksthatmagicianswear.

           AllclappedtheirhandsexceptJack.Karlssonbowed,lookingverypleasedwithhimself.Thenheraisedhistophat,asmagiciansdo,toshowthatitwasempty.

           "Takealook,ladiesandgentlemen,"hesaid."There’snothinginit,notathing."

           Iexpecthe’llmakearabbitcomeoutofthehat,thoughtEric.Hehadonceseenamagiciandothis.ItwillbefunnytoseeKarlssonmakearabbitappear,hethought.

           "AsIwassaying…there’snothinginit,"saidKarlssoninagloomyvoice."Andthereisn’tgoingtobeanythinginit,either,ifyoudon’tputsomethingin,"hecontinued."Icanseealotofgreedylittlechildreninfrontofme,eatingtoffees.Wearenowgoingtopassthehataroundforeveryonetoputanothertoffeeinit.It’sforaVeryDeservingCharity."

           Ericpassedthehat,andsoontherewasquiteapileoftoffeesinit.HehandedthehattoKarlsson."Itrattlessuspiciously,"saidKarlsson,givingthehatashake."Ifitwasfulloftoffees,itwouldn’trattleatall."

           Hestuffedoneofthetoffeesintohismouthandbegantochew."Itcertainlytastesgood,"hesaid,munchingcontentedly.

           Jackhadnotputasingletoffeeintothehat,althoughhehadawholebagfull.

           "Well,mydearyoungfriends…andJack,"saidKarlsson.