Матильда
Throwing the Hammer
AndafteraspeedysearchIfoundthedrawerwhereshekeptallhergymknickers.’’
"Goon,"Matildasaid,spellbound."Whathappenednext?"
"Ihadsentawaybypost,yousee,forthisverypowerfulitching-powder,"Hortensiasaid."Itcost50papacketandwascalledTheSkin-Scorcher.Thelabelsaiditwasmadefromthepowderedteethofdeadlysnakes,anditwasguaranteedtoraiseweltsthesizeofwalnutsonyourskin.SoIsprinkledthisstuffinsideeverypairofknickersinthedrawerandthenfoldedthemallupagaincarefully."Hortensiapausedtocrammorecrispsintohermouth.
"Diditwork?"Lavenderasked.
"Well,"Hortensiasaid,"afewdayslater,duringprayers,theTrunchbullsuddenlystartedscratchingherselflikemaddownbelow.A-ha,Isaidtomyself.Herewego.She’schangedforgymalready.ItwasprettywonderfultobesittingtherewatchingitallandknowingthatIwastheonlypersoninthewholeschoolwhorealisedexactlywhatwasgoingoninsidetheTrunchbull’spants.AndIfeltsafe,too.IknewIcouldn’tbecaught.Thenthescratchinggotworse.Shecouldn’tstop.Shemusthavethoughtshehadawasp’snestdownthere.Andthen,rightinthemiddleoftheLord’sPrayer,sheleaptupandgrabbedherbottomandrushedoutoftheroom."
BothMatildaandLavenderwereenthralled.Itwasquitecleartothemthattheywereatthismomentstandinginthepresenceofamaster.
