Карлсон, который живет на крыше

           JackbroughtouthisbagandgaveKarlssonthewholelot,butfirsthetookoutatoffeeforhimself.

           "Somepeoplearegreedy,"saidKarlsson.Thenhelookedaroundeagerly.

           "Where’stheboxforaDeservingCharity?"heasked.

           Bridgetwenttofetchit.Shethought,NowthatKarlsson’sgotsomanyhe’ssuretoofferusatoffee.ButKarlssondidn’t.Hetooktheboxandcountedthetoffees.

           "Fifteen,"hesaid."That’lljustdoforsupper.Hi-ho,I’vegottogohomeandhavemysupper."AndKarlssondisappearedthroughthewindow.

           Itwastimeforthechildrentogohome,includingBridgetandChristopher.EricandNicholsonwereleftalone,andEricwasglad.Hepickedthepuppyupinhisarmsandsatwhisperingtohim.Thepuppylickedhisfaceandwenttosleep.Hecouldheargentlesoundsofbreathingfromthesleepingpuppy.

           ButMommycameupfromthebasement,andtheneverythingsuddenlywentwrong.MommydidnotbelievethatNicholsonhadnowheretolive.Shedialedthetelephonenumberonhiscollarandsaidthathersonhadfoundasmall,whitepoodle.

           EricwasstandingbesidethetelephonewithNicholsoninhisarms,whisperingthewholetime,"Please,dearGod,letitnotbetheirpuppy!"

           Butitwastheirpuppy.

           "Darling,"saidMommy,whenshehadputthereceiverdown,"TobybelongstoaboycalledStephenNicholson."

           "Toby?"queriedEric.

           "Yes,it’sthenameofthepuppy.Stephenhasbeencryingallafternoon.He’scomingtopickupTobyatseveno’clock"