Pippi Entertains Two Burglars
- After her exploits at the circus, everyone in town knows who Pippi is—and how strong and agile she is.
- Two burglars from out of town, however, do not.
- When they see lights on at her house, they approach and see her counting her gold on the kitchen floor.
- They knock, come inside, and ask Pippi if she's all alone.
- She tells them of course not—Mr. Nilsson is there, too.
- The burglars assume Mr. Nilsson is the man of the house and decide to come back later, when everyone will be asleep.
- They have to wait a long time because Pippi is teaching herself a new dance, the schottische, but finally the lights at Villa Villekulla go out, and the burglars—who are named Bloom and Thunder-Karlsson—return.
- They spot Pippi's feet on her pillow, but they wonder aloud, "… where in the world is Nilsson, do you suppose?" (8.23).
- Pippi, who is still awake, corrects their mistake—"Mr. Nilsson, if you please" (8.24)—and tells them he's in the doll's bed.
- The burglars have a laugh when they realize there is no man of the house—just a little girl and a monkey.
- They demand the money from Pippi, and she lets them take it. Then she immediately takes it back and places the burglars on top of a wardrobe.
- At this point, the burglars realize Pippi is not your average nine-year-old girl and they become frightened.
- They try to jump down and subdue her, but she ties them up instead, only letting them go when they agree to dance the schottische with her.
- Thunder-Karlsson dances with Pippi while Bloom provides music by blowing on a comb (yes, it really can be done, particularly if you have some wax paper handy).
- After she wears them out dancing, Pippi gives the burglars a snack and sends them on their way with a gold piece each, saying, "These you have honestly earned" (8.64).