Матильда
Mr. Wormwood, the Great Car Dealer
Sheworeheavymakeupandshehadoneofthoseunfortunatebulgingfigureswherethefleshappearstobestrappedinallaroundthebodytopreventitfromfallingout.
"Mummy,"Matildasaid,"wouldyoumindifIatemysupperinthedining-roomsoIcouldreadmybook?"
Thefatherglancedupsharply."Iwouldmind!"hesnapped."Supperisafamilygatheringandnooneleavesthetabletillit’sover!"
"Butwe’renotatthetable,"Matildasaid."Weneverare.
We’realwayseatingoffourkneesandwatchingthetelly.
"What’swrongwithwatchingthetelly,mayIask?"thefathersaid.Hisvoicehadsuddenlybecomesoftanddangerous.
Matildadidn’ttrustherselftoanswerhim,soshekeptquiet.Shecouldfeeltheangerboilingupinsideher.Sheknewitwaswrongtohateherparentslikethis,butshewasfindingitveryhardnottodoso.Allthereadingshehaddonehadgivenheraviewoflifethattheyhadneverseen.IfonlytheywouldreadalittleDickensorKiplingtheywouldsoondiscovertherewasmoretolifethancheatingpeopleandwatchingtelevision.
Anotherthing.Sheresentedbeingtoldconstantlythatshewasignorantandstupidwhensheknewshewasn’t.Theangerinsideherwentonboilingandboiling,andasshelayinbedthatnightshemadeadecision.Shedecidedthateverytimeherfatherorhermotherwasbeastlytoher,shewouldgetherownbackinsomewayoranother.Asmallvictoryortwowouldhelphertotoleratetheiridiociesandwouldstopherfromgoingcrazy
