Матильда

           Itwaswhitewash,thecheapstuffthatisusedincowshedsandstablesandhen-houses.

           Matildawasappalled.Wasthisreallywhereherneatandtrimly-dressedschoolteacherlived?Wasthisallshehadtocomebacktoafteraday’swork?Itwasunbelievable.Andwhatwasthereasonforit?Therewassomethingverystrangegoingonaroundhere,surely.

           MissHoneyputthetrayononeoftheupturnedboxes."Sitdown,mydear,sitdown,"shesaid,"andwe’llhaveanicehotcupoftea.Helpyourselftobread.Bothslicesareforyou.InevereatanythingwhenIgethome.Ihaveagoodoldtuck-inattheschoollunchandthatkeepsmegoinguntilthenextmorning."

           Matildaperchedherselfcarefullyonanupturnedboxandmoreoutofpolitenessthananythingelseshetookasliceofbreadandmargarineandstartedtoeatit.Athomeshewouldhavebeenhavingbutteredtoastandstrawberryjamandprobablyapieceofsponge-caketorounditoff.Andyetthiswassomehowfarmorefun.Therewasamysteryhereinthishouse,agreatmystery,therewasnodoubtaboutthat,andMatildawaslongingtofindoutwhatitwas.

           MissHoneypouredtheteaandaddedalittlemilktobothcups.Sheappearedtobenotintheleastillateasesittingonanupturnedboxinabareroomanddrinkingteaoutofamugthatshebalancedonherknee.

           "Youknow,"shesaid,"I’vebeenthinkingveryhardaboutwhatyoudidwiththatglass.Itisagreatpoweryouhavebeengiven,mychild,youknowthat."

           "Yes,MissHoney,Ido,"Matildasaid,chewingherbreadandmargarine