Матильда
The Third Miracle
Andthen,likesomegiantofdoom,theenormousTrunchbullstrodeintotheroominhergreenbreechesandcottonsmock.Shewentstraighttoherjugofwaterandlifteditupbythehandleandpeeredinside.
"Iamgladtosee",shesaid,"thattherearenoslimycreaturesinmydrinking-waterthistime.Iftherehadbeen,thensomethingexceptionallyunpleasantwouldhavehappenedtoeverysinglememberofthisclass.Andthatincludesyou,MissHoney."
Theclassremainedsilentandverytense.Theyhadlearntabitaboutthistigressbynowandnobodywasabouttotakeanychances.
"Verywell,"boomedtheTrunchbull."Letusseehowwellyouknowyourthree-timestable.Ortoputitanotherway,letusseehowbadlyMissHoneyhastaughtyouthethree-timestable."TheTrunchbullwasstandinginfrontoftheclass,legsapart,handsonhips,scowlingatMissHoneywhostoodsilenttooneside.
Matilda,sittingmotionlessatherdeskinthesecondrow,waswatchingthingsveryclosely.
"You!"theTrunchbullshouted,pointingafingerthesizeofarolling-pinataboycalledWilfred.Wilfredwasontheextremerightofthefrontrow."Standup,you!"sheshoutedathim.
Wilfredstoodup.
"Recitethethree-timestablebackwards!"theTrunchbullbarked.
"Backwards?"stammeredWilfred."ButIhaven’tlearntitbackwards."
"Thereyouare!"criedtheTrunchbull,triumphant."She’staughtyounothing!MissHoney,whyhaveyoutaughtthemabsolutelynothingatallinthelastweek?"
"Thatisnottrue,Headmistress,"MissHoneysaid.
