Матильда

           Whenshespokeagainhervoicewassuddenlysofter,quieter,morefriendly,andsheleanedtowardstheboy,smiling."Youlikemyspecialchocolatecake,don’tyou,Bogtrotter?It’srichanddelicious,isn’tit,Bogtrotter?"

           "Verygood,"theboymumbled.Thewordswereoutbeforehecouldstophimself.

           "You’reright,"theTrunchbullsaid."Itisverygood.ThereforeIthinkyoushouldcongratulatethecook.Whenagentlemanhashadaparticularlygoodmeal,Bogtrotter,healwayssendshiscomplimentstothechef.Youdidn’tknowthat,didyou,Bogtrotter?Butthosewhoinhabitthecriminalunderworldarenotnotedfortheirgoodmanners."

           Theboyremainedsilent.

           "Cook!"theTrunchbullshouted,turningherheadtowardsthedoor."Comehere,cook!Bogtrotterwishestotellyouhowgoodyourchocolatecakeis!"

           Thecook,atallshrivelledfemalewholookedasthoughallofherbody-juiceshadbeendriedoutofherlongagoinahotoven,walkedontotheplatformwearingadirtywhiteapron.

           HerentrancehadclearlybeenarrangedbeforehandbytheHeadmistress.

           "Nowthen,Bogtrotter,"theTrunchbullboomed."Tellcookwhatyouthinkofherchocolatecake."

           "Verygood,"theboymumbled.Youcouldseehewasnowbeginningtowonderwhatallthiswasleadingupto.TheonlythingheknewforcertainwasthatthelawforbadetheTrunchbulltohithimwiththeriding-cropthatshekeptsmackingagainstherthigh.Thatwassomecomfort,butnotmuchbecausetheTrunchbullwastotallyunpredictable.Oneneverknewwhatshewasgoingtodonext.