The Weekly Test

           Attwoo’clocksharptheclassassembled,includingMissHoneywhonotedthatthejugofwaterandtheglasswereintheproperplace.Thenshetookupapositionstandingrightattheback.Everyonewaited.SuddenlyinmarchedthegiganticfigureoftheHeadmistressinherbeltedsmockandgreenbreeches.

           "Goodafternoon,children,"shebarked.

           "Goodafternoon,MissTrunchbull,"theychirruped.

           TheHeadmistressstoodbeforetheclass,legsapart,handsonhips,glaringatthesmallboysandgirlswhosatnervouslyattheirdesksinfrontofher.

           "Notaveryprettysight,"shesaid.Herexpressionwasoneofutterdistaste,asthoughshewerelookingatsomethingadoghaddoneinthemiddleofthefloor."Whatabunchofnauseatinglittlewartsyouare."

           Everyonehadthesensetostaysilent.

           "Itmakesmevomit",shewenton,"tothinkthatIamgoingtohavetoputupwithaloadofgarbagelikeyouinmyschoolforthenextsixyears.IcanseethatI’mgoingtohavetoexpelasmanyofyouaspossibleassoonaspossibletosavemyselffromgoingroundthebend."Shepausedandsnortedseveraltimes.Itwasacuriousnoise.Youcanhearthesamesortofthingifyouwalkthroughariding-stablewhenthehorsesarebeingfed."Isuppose",shewenton,"yourmothersandfatherstellyouyou’rewonderful.Well,Iamheretotellyoutheopposite,andyou’dbetterbelieveme.Standupeverybody!"

           Theyallgotquicklytotheirfeet.

           "Nowputyourhandsoutinfrontofyou.AndasIwalkpastIwantyoutoturnthemoversoIcanseeiftheyarecleanonbothsides."