The Second Miracle
Matilda did not join the rush to get out of the classroom. After the other children had all
disappeared, she remained at her desk, quiet and thoughtful. She knew she had to tell somebody
about what had happened with the glass. She couldn't possibly keep a gigantic secret like that
bottled up inside her. What she needed was just one person, one wise and sympathetic grown-up
who could help her to understand the meaning of this extraordinary happening.
Neither her mother nor her father would be of any use at all. If they believed her story, and it was
doubtful they would, they almost certainly would fail to realise what an astounding¹ event it was
that had taken place in the classroom that afternoon. On the spur of the moment, Matilda decided²
that the one person she would like to confide³ in was Miss Honey.
Matilda and Miss Honey were now the only two left in the class-room. Miss Honey had seated
herself at her table and was riffling through some papers. She looked up and said, "Well, Matilda,
aren't you going outside with the others?"
Matilda said, "Please may I talk to you for a moment?"
"Of course you may. What's troubling you?"
"Something very peculiar⁴ has happened to me, Miss Honey."
Miss Honey became instantly alert. Ever since the two disastrous⁵ meetings she had had recently
about Matilda, the first with the Headmistress and the second with the dreadful Mr and Mrs
Wormwood, Miss Honey had been thinking a great deal about this child and wondering how she
could help her. And now, here was Matilda sitting in the classroom with a curiously⁶ exalted⁷ look
on her face and asking if she could have a private talk. Miss Honey had never seen her looking so
wide-eyed and peculiar before.
"Yes, Matilda," she said. "Tell me what has happened to you that is so peculiar."

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