Матильда
The Weekly Test
"Ow!You’rehurtingme!"
"Ihaven’tstartedyet,"theTrunchbullsaidbriskly.Andnow,takingafirmgriponhistwoears,sheliftedhimbodilyoutofhisseatandheldhimaloft.
LikeRupertbeforehim,Ericsquealedthehousedown.Fromthebackoftheclass-roomMissHoneycriedout,"MissTrunchbull!Don’t!Pleaselethimgo!Hisearsmightcomeoff!"
"They’llnevercomeoff,"theTrunchbullshoutedback."Ihavediscoveredthroughlongexperience,MissHoney,thattheearsofsmallboysarestuckveryfirmlytotheirheads."
"Lethimgo,MissTrunchbull,please,"beggedMissHoney."Youcoulddamagehim,youreallycould!Youcouldwrenchthemrightoff!"
"Earsnevercomeoff!"theTrunchbullshouted."Theystretchmostmarvellously,likethesearedoingnow,butIcanassureyoutheynevercomeoff!"
Ericwassquealinglouderthaneverandpedallingtheairwithhislegs.
Matildahadneverbeforeseenaboy,oranyoneelseforthatmatter,heldaloftbyhisearsalone.LikeMissHoney,shefeltsurebothearsweregoingtocomeoffatanymomentwithalltheweightthatwasonthem.
TheTrunchbullwasshouting,"Theword’what’isspelledW...H...A...T.Nowspellit,youlittlewart!"
Ericdidn’thesitate.HehadlearnedfromwatchingRupertafewminutesbeforethatthequickeryouansweredthequickeryouwerereleased."W...H...A...T",hesquealed,"spellswhat!"
Stillholdinghimbytheears,theTrunchbullloweredhimbackintohischairbehindhisdesk.
