Матильда
Miss Honey’s Story
Matildastaredather.WhatamarvellouslybravethingMissHoneyhaddone.SuddenlyshewasaheroineinMatilda’seyes."Isn’titawfullycoldinthewinter?"sheasked.
"I’vegotmylittleparaffinstove,"MissHoneysaid."You’dbesurprisedhowsnugIcanmakeitinhere."
"Doyouhaveabed,MissHoney?"
"Wellnotexactly,"MissHoneysaid,smilingagain."Buttheysayit’sveryhealthytosleeponahardsurface."
AllatonceMatildawasabletoseethewholesituationwithabsoluteclarity.MissHoneyneededhelp.Therewasnowayshecouldgoonexistinglikethisindefinitely."Youwouldbealotbetteroff,MissHoney,"shesaid,"ifyougaveupyourjobanddrewunemploymentmoney."
"Iwouldneverdothat,"MissHoneysaid."Iloveteaching.""Thisawfulaunt,"Matildasaid,"Isupposesheisstilllivinginyourlovelyoldhouse?"
"Verymuchso,"MissHoneysaid."She’sstillonlyaboutfifty.She’llbearoundforalongtimeyet."
"Anddoyouthinkyourfatherreallymeanthertoownthehouseforever?"
"I’mquitesurehedidn’t,"MissHoneysaid."Parentswilloftengiveaguardiantherighttooccupythehouseforacertainlengthoftime,butitisnearlyalwaysleftintrustforthechild.Itthenbecomesthechild’spropertywhenheorshegrowsup."
"Thensurelyitisyourhouse?"Matildasaid.
"Myfather’swillwasneverfound,"MissHoneysaid."Itlooksasthoughsomebodydestroyedit."
"Noprizesforguessingwho,"Matildasaid.
"Noprizes,"MissHoneysaid
