The First Miracle

           Matildasatdownagainatherdesk.TheTrunchbullseatedherselfbehindtheteacher’stable.Itwasthefirsttimeshehadsatdownduringthelesson.Thenshereachedoutahandandtookholdofherwater-jug.Stillholdingthejugbythehandlebutnotliftingityet,shesaid,"Ihaveneverbeenabletounderstandwhysmallchildrenaresodisgusting.Theyarethebaneofmylife.Theyarelikeinsects.Theyshouldbegotridofasearlyaspossible.Wegetridofflieswithfly-sprayandbyhangingupfly-paper.Ihaveoftenthoughtofinventingasprayforgettingridofsmallchildren.Howsplendiditwouldbetowalkintothisclassroomwithagiganticspray-guninmyhandsandstartpumpingit.Orbetterstill,somehugestripsofstickypaper.Iwouldhangthemallroundtheschoolandyou’dallgetstucktothemandthatwouldbetheendofit.Wouldn’tthatbeagoodidea,MissHoney?"

           "Ifit’smeanttobeajoke,Headmistress,Idon’tthinkit’saveryfunnyone,"MissHoneysaidfromthebackoftheclass.

           "Youwouldn’t,wouldyou,MissHoney,"theTrunchbullsaid."Andit’snotmeanttobeajoke.Myideaofaperfectschool,MissHoney,isonethathasnochildreninitatall.

           OneofthesedaysIshallstartupaschoollikethat.Ithinkitwillbeverysuccessful."

           Thewoman’smad,MissHoneywastellingherself.She’sroundthetwist.She’stheonewhooughttobegotridof.

           TheTrunchbullnowliftedthelargeblueporcelainwater-jugandpouredsomewaterintoherglass.