Matilda stays with Juffrouw Engel after her family leaves in the story’s final separation: when Mr. Wormwood announces that the family is leaving for Spain and will never return, Matilda chooses to ask to remain with the teacher she trusts. Juffrouw Engel offers to care for her at her own expense, and the parents allow the arrangement, though their consent is shaped by haste and indifference rather than a shared sense of its importance. The scene ends with Matilda embraced by Juffrouw Engel as the family’s black Mercedes disappears down the road.

The departure announced

After spending an hour talking with Juffrouw Engel in the kitchen, Matilda says goodbye and walks home, a journey of about eight minutes. A large black Mercedes is parked outside her house, but she initially pays it no attention; unfamiliar cars are often outside her father’s home. Inside, however, she finds her parents in the hallway hurriedly forcing clothes and belongings into suitcases. The disorder signals that this is not an ordinary departure, and her question about what is happening receives an immediate answer: the family intends to leave in half an hour for the airport. Her brother is nearly ready upstairs, and she is told to pack quickly.

The destination is Spain, which Mr. Wormwood describes as having a much better climate than the country they are leaving. Matilda protests that she does not want to go: she likes where she lives and enjoys school. Her father tells her to do as she is told and stop complaining, insisting that he already has enough trouble. When she asks how long they will be away and when they will return, he makes the rupture explicit: they are not coming back. The hurried packing has become a permanent departure, imposed on Matilda without consultation. Her parents’ urgency leaves little room for her objection, but the certainty that she will lose her home and school gives her a reason to act rather than keep pleading in the hallway.

Matilda asks to stay

Matilda turns around and walks out through the open front door. She runs straight back to Juffrouw Engel’s home, covering the journey in less than four minutes. In the front garden, she finds Juffrouw Engel standing among the roses with pruning shears. The domestic scene is interrupted by Matilda’s sudden arrival: Juffrouw Engel has heard her running over the gravel, straightens up, turns, and steps out from among the rose bushes to meet her.

Matilda tells Juffrouw Engel that she does not want to go with her family and asks to live with her. Juffrouw Engel says that she would be glad to have Matilda, but initially believes the plan cannot be carried out because parents have the right to take their child with them. The obstacle is not a lack of affection or willingness between the two; it is the authority the parents have over Matilda’s residence. Matilda identifies the condition that could change the situation: if her parents agree, she asks, would Juffrouw Engel accept her? Juffrouw Engel answers that she would be delighted. Matilda then reasons that her parents are likely to consent because they do not care about her. Her appeal is hopeful, but it rests on a painful understanding of how little attention they have given her.

Consent amid the packing

Matilda insists that they must hurry before the family leaves and takes Juffrouw Engel by the hand. Together they run out of the garden and along the road, through the village, to Matilda’s parents’ house. The black Mercedes is still at the gate, now with its doors and boot open as Mr. and Mrs. Wormwood and Michiel scramble to load suitcases. Their frantic preparations continue around Matilda’s arrival: the deadline she feared is visibly close, and the family is already arranging itself for departure.

Out of breath, Matilda asks her parents to let her stay with Juffrouw Engel, explaining that the teacher is willing but requires their permission. Mr. Wormwood turns toward Juffrouw Engel and recognizes her as the person from the school who once visited the house, then resumes loading the luggage. Mrs. Wormwood, meanwhile, tells him that a suitcase must go on the back seat because the boot has no room. Their immediate attention remains on packing rather than on Matilda’s request.

Juffrouw Engel makes the offer explicit. She would be happy for Matilda to live with her, promises to take good care of her, and says she would pay for everything, so the arrangement would cost Mr. Wormwood nothing. She also clarifies that the proposal came from Matilda, not from her, and that she will take the girl in only if her parents agree wholeheartedly. Her conditions make the offer an act of care, not an attempt to remove Matilda without consent. Mrs. Wormwood tells Harry to let Matilda go if that is what she wants, adding that it will mean one fewer person to look after. Mr. Wormwood agrees because he is in a hurry to catch his plane: if Matilda wants to stay, she may. Both give the required permission, but their reasons sharply contrast with Juffrouw Engel’s promise of personal responsibility.

The family leaves

Once consent is given, Matilda throws herself into Juffrouw Engel’s arms, and Juffrouw Engel embraces her. The family climbs into the car and drives off at speed. Michiel waves through the rear window; Mr. and Mrs. Wormwood do not even look back. Matilda and Juffrouw Engel remain holding each other as they watch the large black car race to the end of the road, turn the corner, and disappear from view for good. Neither says a word.

The parting completes a reversal: Matilda, whom her parents had ordered to pack and take with them, is instead left behind at her own request, while Juffrouw Engel becomes the adult who will care for her. The parents’ consent makes this possible, but the final contrast lies in how each side treats the separation. For Matilda and Juffrouw Engel, the embrace and shared silence mark an attachment; for Mr. and Mrs. Wormwood, departure takes precedence over a backward glance. The car’s disappearance confirms that the family is not coming back, and the story ends with Matilda remaining beside the person who has welcomed her.