Матильда

           Takethebucket.Hereitis.You’llfindaropeinthewell.Justhookthebucketontotheendoftheropeandloweritdown,butdon’tfallinyourself."Matilda,morebemusedthanevernow,tookthebucketandcarrieditoutintothebackgarden.Thewellhadalittlewoodenroofoveritandasimplewindingdeviceandtherewastheropedanglingdownintoadarkbottomlesshole.Matildapulleduptheropeandhookedthehandleofthebucketontotheendofit.Thensheloweredituntilsheheardasplashandtheropewentslack.Shepulleditupagainandloandbehold,therewaswaterinthebucket.

           "Isthisenough?"sheasked,carryingitin.

           "Justabout,"MissHoneysaid."Idon’tsupposeyou’veeverdonethatbefore?"

           "Never,"Matildasaid."It’sfun.Howdoyougetenoughwaterforyourbath?"

           "Idon’ttakeabath,"MissHoneysaid."Iwashstandingup.IgetabucketfulofwaterandIheatitonthislittlestoveandIstripandwashmyselfallover."

           "Doyouhonestlydothat?"Matildaasked.

           "OfcourseIdo,"MissHoneysaid."EverypoorpersoninEnglandusedtowashthatwayuntilnotsoverylongago.Andtheydidn’thaveaPrimus.Theyhadtoheatthewateroverthefireinthehearth."

           "Areyoupoor,MissHoney?"

           "Yes,"MissHoneysaid."Very.It’sagoodlittlestove,isn’tit?"ThePrimuswasroaringawaywithapowerfulblueflameandalreadythewaterinthesaucepanwasbeginningtobubble.MissHoneygotateapotfromthecupboardandputsometealeavesintoit.Shealsofoundhalfasmallloafofbrownbread.