Матильда
Throwing the Hammer
Wearethecrusaders,thegallantarmyfightingforourliveswithhardlyanyweaponsatallandtheTrunchbullisthePrinceofDarkness,theFoulSerpent,theFieryDragonwithalltheweaponsathercommand.It’satoughlife.Wealltrytosupporteachother."
"Youcanrelyonus,"Lavendersaid,makingherheightofthreefeettwoinchesstretchastallaspossible.
"No,Ican’t,"Hortensiasaid."You’reonlyshrimps.Butyouneverknow.Wemayfindauseforyouonedayinsomeundercoverjob."
"Tellusjustalittlebitmoreaboutwhatshedoes,"Matildasaid."Pleasedo."
"Imustn’tfrightenyoubeforeyou’vebeenhereaweek,"Hortensiasaid.
"Youwon’t,"Lavendersaid."Wemaybesmallbutwe’requitetough."
"Listentothisthen,"Hortensiasaid."OnlyyesterdaytheTrunchbullcaughtaboycalledJuliusRottwinkleeatingLiquoriceAllsortsduringthescripturelessonandshesimplypickedhimupbyonearmandflunghimclearoutoftheopenclassroomwindow.OurclassroomisonefloorupandwesawJuliusRottwinklegosailingoutoverthegardenlikeaFrisbeeandlandingwithathumpinthemiddleofthelettuces.ThentheTrunchbullturnedtousandsaid,"Fromnowon,anybodycaughteatinginclassgoesstraightoutthewindow."
"DidthisJuliusRottwinklebreakanybones?"Lavenderasked.
"Onlyafew,"Hortensiasaid."You’vegottorememberthattheTrunchbulloncethrewthehammerforBritainintheOlympicssoshe’sveryproudofherrightarm."
"What’sthrowingthehammer?"Lavenderasked.
