Карлсон, который живет на крыше

           "Andyou,Daddy,youwereborninGothenburg,yousaid."

           "Yes,I’maGothenburger,"saidDaddy.

           "Andwherewereyouborn,Mommy?"

           "InEskilstuna,"saidMommy.

           Ericthrewhisarmsaroundherneck.

           "Wasn’titterrificallyluckythatweallmet!"

           Theyallthoughtitwas.Andthentheysang"HappyBirthday"again,andhefiredhispistolanditmadeasplendidnoise.

           Hehadplentyoftimetoshootwithhispistolduringthedaywhilehewaitedforthehourofthebirthdayparty.HealsohadampletimetothinkoverwhatDaddyhadsaid…thattheremightbemorepresentslater.Forabrief,happymomenthewonderedif,afterall,perhapsamiraclemighthappenandhewouldhaveadog—butthenhecametotheconclusionthatitwasimpossible.Hewascrosswithhimselfforhavingsuchanidea.Herememberedhehaddecidednottothinkofadogatallonhisbirthdayandtobehappyallthesame.

           Ericwashappy.LaterintheafternoonMommybegantosetthetableinhisroomveryfestively.Sheputabigvaseofflowersonitandherbestpinkcupsandsaucers—threeofthem.

           "Mommy,wewantfourcups,"saidEric.

           "Why?"askedMommy,surprised.

           Ericswallowed.HemusttellMommythathehadinvitedKarlsson-on-the-Roof,althoughshewouldnotlikeit.

           "Karlsson-on-the-Roofiscomingaswell,"saidEric,lookinghismommysteadilyintheeye.

           "Ooh!"saidMommy."Well,Isupposeit’sallright.Itisyourbirthday,afterall."

           ShepattedEric’sfairhead.

           "Whatababyyouare,Eric,imaginingthings.