At the end of chapter twenty-five, Matilda closes her eyes and remembers something. What does she remember? Why do you think she keeps thinking of this when there is so much in the present to think about?

In my opinion, Mattie thinks about happier time in order to set aside the problems of the present.... to distract herself and remember.

My eyes closed. I could see that clear January morning, the moment of release when the balloon floated above the rooftops. Thousands of voices cheered and screamed with delight. Nathaniel grasped my hand and we watched as the gold sphere ferried Monsieur Blanchard and his little black dog away on the wind. I thought all things were possible in heaven and on earth that day.
A whisper of wind passed by from the north. It lifted the hair off my face and rattled the squash vines. I shivered. Only the soles of my feet were warm, heated by dirt that had absorbed the sun all day. So tired. I laid down between the rows and rested my head on the ground.