Today is Saturday.
Now at last Tommy and Annika remembered that they were supposed to congratulate Pippi. Tommy bowed and Annika curtsied and then they handed Pippi the green package and said that they congratulated her and wished her a happy birthday. Pippi thanked them and eagerly tore the package open. And there was a music box! Pippi was wild with delight. She patted Tommy and she patted Annika and she patted the music box and she patted the wrapping paper. She wound up the music box, and with much plinking and plonking out came a melody that was probably supposed to be Ack, du Karen Augustine. Pippi wound and wound and seemed to forget everything else. But suddenly she remembered something. She said to the children that they must have their birthday presents too. They said it wasn’t their birthday. Pippi stared at them in amazement. Pippi asked them if it said in their schoolbooks that such a thing couldn’t be done. Tommy said of course it could be done and it was just not customary. And he would be very glad to have a present. Annika said she too.
