Матильда

           "Andanyway,Iwasfartooterrifiedtocomplain.Itoldyou,Iwasherslave."

           "Didshebeatyou?"

           "Let’snotgointodetails,"MissHoneysaid.

           "Howsimplyawful,"Matildasaid."Didyoucrynearlyallthetime?"

           "OnlywhenIwasalone,"MissHoneysaid."Iwasn’tallowedtocryinfrontofher.ButIlivedinfear."

           "Whathappenedwhenyouleftschool?"Matildaasked.

           "Iwasabrightpupil,"MissHoneysaid."Icouldeasilyhavegotintouniversity.Buttherewasnoquestionofthat."

           "Whynot,MissHoney?"

           "BecauseIwasneededathometodothework.""Thenhowdidyoubecomeateacher?"Matildaasked."ThereisaTeacher’sTrainingCollegeinReading,"Miss

           Honeysaid."That’sonlyfortyminutes’bus-rideawayfromhere.IwasallowedtogothereonconditionIcamestraighthomeagaineveryafternoontodothewashingandironingandtocleanthehouseandcookthesupper."

           "Howoldwereyouthen?"Matildaasked.

           "WhenIwentintoTeacher’sTrainingIwaseighteen,"MissHoneysaid.

           "Youcouldhavejustpackedupandwalkedaway,"Matildasaid.

           "NotuntilIgotajob,"MissHoneysaid."Anddon’tforget,IwasbythendominatedbymyaunttosuchanextentthatIwouldn’thavedared.Youcan’timaginewhatit’sliketobecompletelycontrolledlikethatbyaverystrongpersonality.Itturnsyoutojelly.Sothat’sit.That’sthesadstoryofmylife.

           NowI’vetalkedenough."

           "Pleasedon’tstop,"Matildasaid."Youhaven’tfinishedyet.