Матильда
Throwing the Hammer
"Thehammer",Hortensiasaid,"isactuallyaruddygreatcannon-ballontheendofalongbitofwire,andthethrowerwhisksitroundandroundhisorherheadfasterandfasterandthenletsitgo.Youhavetobeterrificallystrong.TheTrunchbullwillthrowanythingaroundjusttokeepherarmin,especiallychildren."
"Goodheavens,"Lavendersaid.
"Ionceheardhersay",Hortensiawenton,"thatalargeboyisaboutthesameweightasanOlympichammerandthereforehe’sveryusefulforpractisingwith."
Atthatpointsomethingstrangehappened.Theplayground,whichuptothenhadbeenfilledwithshrieksandtheshoutingofchildrenatplay,allatoncebecamesilentasthegrave."Watchout,"Hortensiawhispered.MatildaandLavenderglancedroundandsawthegiganticfigureofMissTrunchbulladvancingthroughthecrowdofboysandgirlswithmenacingstrides.ThechildrendrewbackhastilytoletherthroughandherprogressacrosstheasphaltwaslikethatofMosesgoingthroughtheRedSeawhenthewatersparted.Aformidablefigureshewastoo,inherbeltedsmockandgreenbreeches.Belowthekneeshercalfmusclesstoodoutlikegrapefruitsinsideherstockings."AmandaThripp!"shewasshouting."You,AmandaThripp,comehere!"
"Holdyourhats,"Hortensiawhispered.
"What’sgoingtohappen?"Lavenderwhisperedback.
"ThatidiotAmanda",Hortensiasaid,"hasletherlonghairgrowevenlongerduringtheholsandhermotherhasplaiteditintopigtails.Sillythingtodo."
"Whysilly?"Matildaasked.
