Матильда
The Parents
Havinggottheaddressfromtheschoolrecords,MissHoneysetouttowalkfromherownhometotheWormwood’shouseshortlyafternine.Shefoundthehouseinapleasantstreetwhereeachsmallishbuildingwasseparatedfromitsneighboursbyabitofgarden.ItwasamodernbrickhousethatcouldnothavebeencheaptobuyandthenameonthegatesaidCOSYNOOK.Noseycookmighthavebeenbetter,MissHoneythought.Shewasgiventoplayingwithwordsinthatway.Shewalkedupthepathandrangthebell,andwhileshestoodwaitingshecouldhearthetelevisionblaringinside.
Thedoorwasopenedbyasmallratty-lookingmanwithathinrattymoustachewhowaswearingasports-coatthathadanorangeandredstripeinthematerial."Yes?"hesaid,peeringoutatMissHoney."Ifyou’resellingraffleticketsIdon’twantany."
"I’mnot,"MissHoneysaid."Andpleaseforgivemeforbuttinginonyoulikethis.IamMatilda’steacheratschoolanditisimportantIhaveawordwithyouandyourwife."
"Gotintotroublealready,hasshe?"Mr.Wormwoodsaid,blockingthedoorway."Well,she’syourresponsibilityfromnowon.You’llhavetodealwithher."
"Sheisinnotroubleatall,"MissHoneysaid."Ihavecomewithgoodnewsabouther.Quitestartlingnews,Mr.Wormwood.DoyouthinkImightcomeinforafewminutesandtalktoyouaboutMatilda?"
"Wearerightinthemiddleofwatchingoneofourfavouriteprogrammes,"Mr.Wormwoodsaid."Thisismostinconvenient.Whydon’tyoucomebacksomeothertime."
MissHoneybegantolosepatience.
