Матильда

           "Ofcoursethat’swhathappened!"themothercried."WellreallyHarry,howstupidcanyouget?Whydidn’tyoureadthelabelbeforeyoustartedsplashingthestuffalloveryou!Mine’sterriblystrong.I’monlymeanttouseonetablespoonofitinawholebasinofwaterandyou’vegoneandputitalloveryourheadneat!It’llprobablytakeallyourhairoffintheend!Isyourscalpbeginningtoburn,dear?"

           "YoumeanI’mgoingtoloseallmyhair?"thehusbandyelled.

           "Ithinkyouwill,"themothersaid."Peroxideisaverypowerfulchemical.It’swhattheyputdownthelavatorytodisinfectthepanonlytheygiveitanothername."

           "Whatareyousaying!"thehusbandcried."I’mnotalavatorypan!Idon’twanttobedisinfected!"

           "EvendilutedlikeIuseit,"themothertoldhim,"itmakesagooddealofmyhairfallout,sogoodnessknowswhat’sgoingtohappentoyou.I’msurpriseditdidn’ttakethewholeofthetopofyourheadoff!"

           "WhatshallIdo?"wailedthefather."Tellmequickwhattodobeforeitstartsfallingout!"

           Matildasaid,"I’dgiveitagoodwash,dad,ifIwereyou,withsoapandwater.Butyou’llhavetohurry."

           "Willthatchangethecolourback?"thefatheraskedanxiously.

           "Ofcourseitwon’t,youtwit,"themothersaid.

           "ThenwhatdoIdo?Ican’tgoaroundlookinglikethisforever?"

           "You’llhavetohaveitdyedblack,"themothersaid."Butwashitfirstortherewon’tbeanytheretodye."

           "Right!"thefathershouted,springingintoaction.