Among Matilda's new friends was the girl called Lavender. A small girl with brown eyes and dark hair. Before the end of the first week, they heard some terrible stories about Miss runchbull. A ten-year-old girl, Hortensia, who they met in the school field told them she doesnt like very small children. And have you heard about The Chokey?' "What's The Chokey?' asked Matilda. It's a very tall, narrow cupboard in Trunchbull's room, said Hortensia. It's too small to sit down in, so you have to stand up And the walls and doors have bits of broken glass all over them So you have to stand up straight all the time when she locks you in there. Have you ever been in there?' asked Lavender. In my first year, I was in there six times, said Hortensia Twice for a day and the other times for She stopped. Suddenly all the children in the field were silent Miss Trunchbull was walking across the field towards a girl of about ten. The girl had very long fair hair. Amanda Thripp, come here!" shouted Miss Trunchbull Trunchbull doesn't like very long hair," Hortensia said. Miss Trunchbull was now standing above Amanda like someone who wanted to put their foot down on something small and smelly. Cut off some of that dirty long hair before you come back to school tomorrow she shouted. "Do you hear? NM-my m-m-mummy likes it long,' said the frightened Amanda. Do as I tell you, you little rat!' shouted Miss Trunchbull. And she put out a large hand, took Amanda by the hair and lifted the girl off the ground. Then she turned her round and round above her head faster and faster! Amanda screamed when, suddenly, Miss Trunchbull stopped holding her hair and the girl flew up into the sky! She came down again in the next field. Then she got up on to her feet and walked back again! Matilda's mouth fell open with surprise.