Матильда

           It’sgotnoconveniences,norunningwater,nonothing!’"

           ’Iwanttolivethere,’Isaid.I’maromantic.I’vefalleninlovewithit.Pleaserentittome.’

           ’You’remad,’hesaid.’Butifyouinsist,you’rewelcometoit.Therentwillbetenpenceaweek.’

           ’Here’sonemonth’srentinadvance,’Isaid,givinghim40p.’Andthankyousomuch!’"

           "Howsuper!"Matildacried."Sosuddenlyyouhadahouseallofyourown!Buthowdidyoupluckupthecouragetotelltheaunt?"

           "Thatwastough,"MissHoneysaid."ButIsteeledmyselftodoit.Onenight,afterIhadcookedhersupper,IwentupstairsandpackedthefewthingsIpossessedinacardboardboxandcamedownstairsandannouncedIwasleaving.’I’verentedahouse,’Isaid.

           "Myauntexploded.’Rentedahouse!’sheshouted.’Howcanyourentahousewhenyouhaveonlyonepoundaweekintheworld?’

           ’I’vedoneit,’Isaid.

           ’Andhowareyougoingtobuyfoodforyourself?’

           ’I’llmanage,’Imumbledandrushedoutofthefrontdoor."

           "Oh,welldoneyou!"Matildacried."Soyouwerefreeatlast!"

           "Iwasfreeatlast,"MissHoneysaid."Ican’ttellyouhowwonderfulitwas."

           "Buthaveyoureallymanagedtolivehereononepoundaweekfortwoyears?"Matildaasked.

           "Imostcertainlyhave,"MissHoneysaid."Ipaytenpencerent,andtherestjustaboutbuysmeparaffinformystoveandformylamp,andalittlemilkandteaandbreadandmargarine.That’sallIneedreally.AsItoldyou,Ihaveajollygoodtuck-inattheschoollunch."