Матильда
Throwing the Hammer
Herewassomebodywhohadbroughttheartofskulduggerytothehighestpointofperfection,somebody,moreover,whowaswillingtorisklifeandlimbinpursuitofhercalling.Theygazedinwonderatthisgoddess,andsuddenlyeventheboilonhernosewasnolongerablemishbutabadgeofcourage.
"Buthowdidshecatchyouthattime?"Lavenderasked,breathlesswithwonder.
"Shedidn’t,"Hortensiasaid."ButIgotadayinTheChokeyjustthesame."
"Why?"theybothasked.
"TheTrunchbull",Hortensiasaid,"hasanastyhabitofguessing.Whenshedoesn’tknowwhotheculpritis,shemakesaguessatit,andthetroubleisshe’softenright.IwastheprimesuspectthistimebecauseoftheGoldenSyrupjob,andalthoughIknewshedidn’thaveanyproof,nothingIsaidmadeanydifference.Ikeptshouting,’HowcouldIhavedoneit,MissTrunchbull?Ididn’tevenknowyoukeptanyspareknickersatschool!Idon’tevenknowwhatitching-powderis!I’veneverheardofit!’Butthelyingdidn’thelpmeinspiteofthegreatperformanceIputon.TheTrunchbullsimplygrabbedmebyoneearandrushedmetoTheChokeyatthedoubleandthrewmeinsideandlockedthedoor.Thatwasmysecondall-daystretch.Itwasabsolutetorture.IwasspikedandcutalloverwhenIcameout."
"It’slikeawar,"Matildasaid,overawed.
"You’redarnrightit’slikeawar,"Hortensiacried."Andthecasualtiesareterrific.
