Matilda doesn't even pause; she leads him straight down the hall and around the corner to the principal's office.

(The sign that said HEADMISTRESS has been taken down and replaced by a much friendlier sign reading J. Honey - Prinicipal.)

There's another teacher standing by the office door, an older woman with a touch of grey in her straight black hair.

"Hi, Miss Li," Matilda says on her way past. She doesn't quite manage her usual ebullience, but under the circumstances, that's not a surprise.

Miss Li gives them both a slightly puzzled look, but stands aside with a murmured, "Hello, Matilda."