How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
"[…] I hated her [my aunt] right from the start. I missed my mother terribly. And the aunt was not a kind person. My father didn't know that because he was hardly ever around but when he did put in an appearance, the aunt behaved differently." (17.25)
Miss Honey could've told her dad about the aunt, but chances are he wouldn't have believed her—and then the aunt would probably have gotten even worse as a result. Sometimes it's tough being a kiddo, and not having much of a voice.
Quote #8
"I think what I am trying to explain to you," she said, "is that over the years I became so completely cowed and dominated by this monster of an aunt that when she gave me an order, no matter what it was, I obeyed it instantly. That can happen, you know. And by the time I was ten, I had become her slave. I did all the house-work. I made her bed. I washed and ironed for her. I did all the cooking. I learnt how to do everything." (17.47)
Miss Honey had to grow up before her time. In a different way, so did Matilda. But boy, did Miss Honey have it particularly rough. As terrible as Matilda's parents are to her, they're nowhere nearly as awful as this aunt is to Miss Honey. Frankly, if this were a true story, Shmoop would be calling the authorities right about now.
Quote #9
"I have kept you here far too long. Your mother will be starting to worry."
"She never does that," Matilda said, smiling. "But I would like to go home now please, if you don't mind." (18.10-11)
Miss Honey insists on thinking the good of people. She's met Mrs. Wormwood, so she knows what a waste of space Matilda's mother is. Yet she still thinks Mrs. Wormwood will miss her daughter or worry about her. Matilda knows better. But hey, at least Matilda's able to smile about it now, rather than talk about it sadly, like she did in "The Reader of Books."