Матильда

           "Move!"shewhispered,andtoherintensesurprise,almostatonce,thecigarwithitslittleredandgoldpaperbandarounditsmiddlerolledawayacrossthetopofthedressing-tableandfellontothecarpet.

           Matildahadenjoyedthat.Itwaslovelydoingit.Ithadfeltasthoughsparksweregoingroundandroundinsideherheadandflashingoutofhereyes.Ithadgivenherasenseofpowerthatwasalmostethereal.Andhowquickithadbeenthistime!Howsimple!

           Shecrossedthebedroomandpickedupthecigarandputitbackonthetable.

           Nowforthedifficultone,shethought.ButifIhavethepowertopush,thensurelyIalsohavethepowertolift?ItisvitalIlearnhowtoliftit.Imustlearnhowtoliftitrightupintotheairandkeepitthere.Itisnotaveryheavything,acigar.

           Shesatontheendofthebedandstartedagain.Itwaseasynowtosummonupthepowerbehindhereyes.Itwaslikepushingatriggerinthebrain."Lift!"shewhispered."Lift!Lift!"

           Atfirstthecigarstartedtorollaway.Butthen,withMatildaconcentratingfiercely,oneendofitslowlyliftedupaboutaninchoffthetable-top.

           Withacolossaleffort,shemanagedtoholditthereforabouttenseconds.Thenitfellbackagain.

           "Phew!"shegasped."I’mgettingit!I’mstartingtodoit!"Forthenexthour,Matildakeptpractising,andintheendshehadmanaged,bythesheerpowerofhereyes,toliftthe

           wholecigarclearoffthetableaboutsixinchesintotheairandholditthereforaboutaminute