'W...H...O...T,' he said, trying again quickly.
Miss Trunchbull put her hands around each of the boy's ears and lifted him out of his chair.
'Help!' cried Eric. 'You're hurting me!'
From the back of the room, Miss Honey cried, 'Miss Trunchbull , don't! His ears will come off!'
'Small boys' ears do not come off!' shouted Miss Trunchbull.
'You spell the word "what", W...H...A...T. Now spell it, you little snake!'
'W...H...A...T spells what's cried Eric.
Miss Trunchbull dropped him back into his chair. 'That's the way to do it, Miss Honey!' she said. 'You're too soft with them. Read Nicholas Nickleby, by Charles Dickens. Read about Mr Wackford Squeers of Dotheboys Hall school. So that they learned, what he do with boys? He his them, Miss Honey! Hit them hard! Read it. It's a very sood book.'
'I've read it,' said Matilda quietly.
Miss Turnchbull looked down at her. 'Don't lie to me, girl!' she shoyted. 'Stand up. What is your name?'
Matilda stood up and said, 'Matilda Wormwood, Miss Trunchbull.'
'Wormwood?' said Miss Turnchbull . 'Are you the daughter of the man Wormwood of Wormwood Cars?'
'Yes, Miss Trunchbull,' said Matilda.
'He's a robber!' shouted Miss Trunchbull. 'A few days ago he sold me a car. "It's almost new," he said. But today the gearbox blew up! And it was Full of sawdust!