Miss Honey came back with two cups of tea and two plates of bread and butter.
When they were eating, Matilda asked, `Are all teachers very poor, Miss Honey? Do they all live like this, with no furniture?'
Miss Honey's face went red and she looked down at the floor. `No,' she said quietly. Then she looked at Matilda. `Until now, it's been difficult for me to talk about my problems, but suddenly I want to tell somebody. I know that you're only a little girl, Matilda, but…can I tell you a story?'
`Yes, of course,' said Matilda.