Карлсон, который живет на крыше

           Whowouldthinkyou’reeightyearsold!Howoldareyoureally?"

           "I’maManinhisPrime,"saidEricwithdignity."AndsoisKarlsson."

           Thedayseemedtopassatasnail’space.Nowitwasquite"later,"buthestillsawnosignofanymorepresents.

           Atlasthedidhaveanother.BobbyandBettycamehomefromschool.TheyshutthemselvesinBobby’sroomandwouldnotletEricin.Heheardthemgigglingandpaperrustling.Ericwasburstingwithcuriosity.

           Afteralongtimetheycameout,andBettylaughinglyhandedhimapackage.Ericwasthrilledandwantedtotearthepaperoffatonce.ButBobbysaid,"You’vegottoreadtheverseonitfirst."

           TheyhadusedlargecapitalletterstomakeiteasyforErictoread,anditsaid:

           Bigsister,bigbrother,kinderthanyouthought,

           Forlittlebrother’sbirthday,ananimalhavebought.

           Thislittlevelvetpoodledogisgoodandsoftandround,

           Hedoesnotjumpuphighandbark;henevermakesasound.

           Ericstoodabsolutelystill.

           "Openit,then!"saidBobby.ButEricthrewthepackageonthefloor,andtearsgushedfromhiseyes.

           "ButEric!Whatever’sthematter?"criedBetty.

           "Areyouupset?"askedBobbyunhappily.

           BettythrewherarmsaroundEric.

           "Oh,pleaseforgiveus—itwasonlyajoke."

           Ericbrokeawaysharply.Tearswerestreamingdownhischeeks.

           "Butyouknew,"hesobbed,"butyouknewIwantedarealdog.Itwasn’tabitfunny."

           Herushedawayfromthemtohisownroomandthrewhimselfonthebed.BobbyandBettyfollowedhimandMommycamerunning.