Матильда

           Andsuddenly,withthewater,outcamethelongslimynewtstraightintotheglass,plop!

           TheTrunchbullletoutayellandleaptoffherchairasthoughafirecrackerhadgoneoffunderneathher.Andnowthechildrenalsosawthelongthinslimyyellow-belliedlizard-likecreaturetwistingandturningintheglass,andtheysquirmedandjumpedaboutaswell,shouting,"Whatisit?Oh,it’sdisgusting!It’sasnake!It’sababycrocodile!It’sanalligator!"

           "Lookout,MissTrunchbull!"criedLavender."I’llbetitbites!"

           TheTrunchbull,thismightyfemalegiant,stoodthereinhergreenbreeches,quiveringlikeablancmange.Shewasespeciallyfuriousthatsomeonehadsucceededinmakingherjumpandyelllikethatbecauseshepridedherselfonhertoughness.Shestaredatthecreaturetwistingandwrigglingintheglass.Curiouslyenough,shehadneverseenanewtbefore.Naturalhistorywasnotherstrongpoint.Shehadn’tthefaintestideawhatthisthingwas.Itcertainlylookedextremelyunpleasant.Slowlyshesatdownagaininherchair.Shelookedatthismomentmoreterrifyingthaneverbefore.Thefiresoffuryandhatredweresmoulderinginhersmallblackeyes.

           "Matilda!"shebarked."Standup!"

           "Who,me?"Matildasaid."WhathaveIdone?"

           "Standup,youdisgustinglittlecockroach!"

           "Ihaven’tdoneanything,MissTrunchbull,honestlyIhaven’t.I’veneverseenthatslimythingbefore!"

           "Standupatonce,youfilthylittlemaggot!"

           Reluctantly,Matildagottoherfeet.Shewasinthesecondrow.