A story by Thomas
It was the last week of term and, in the main hall, after morning assembly, the members of Class IVB were waiting with more or less apprehension for their turn in Miss Svenson’s study for an individual pupil review. This was a routine established by the Headmistress when she first came to the school some five years before and the I.P.R. had now become a regular tradition. Each child had to have a short interview with the Head in the presence of their form teacher to assess their progress during the previous term in academic and other school activities and general behaviour. Some of the fourteen and fifteen year old youngsters had come to call it “Judgment Day” and others, more irreverently, “The Confessional”.
In her room the Headmistress checked her diary for any other urgent business and, seeing that there was none listed, went to a corner cupboard from which she selected a fierce looking straight cane. After testing its flexibility with a flourish in the air, she laid it gently on her desk, like an auctioneer’s gavel, a symbol of authority and control.
At 9.15 precisely Miss Prendergast summoned Melanie Barker, the first in alphabetical order, and instructed the others to follow as their names were called, and in the mean time to sit quietly. Melanie knocked at the study door and entered to find the Headmistress sitting behind her desk in front of which was a straight backed chair. Miss Prendergast stood to one side.
‘Sit down Barker,’ said Miss Svenson gently, indicating the chair. ‘Now tell me, how have you been getting on this term?’
‘Fine I think,’ the little girl replied a little nervously as she took her place on the chair and glanced at the Class teacher.
‘Melanie is an ideal pupil,’ Miss Prendergast volunteered immediately. ‘She works hard and does as well as she can in all her classes although she is not among the top achievers. But she tries and her behaviour cannot be faulted. Also she plays the flute most beautifully.’
‘That seems most satisfactory Barker,’ said the Headmistress with a kind smile. ‘Now is there anything more I can do for you?’
‘No, nothing thank you Miss,’ the girl replied again shifting her eyes towards Miss Prendergast, who gave the slightest nod of assent.
‘Very well Barker, you may go — and have a good holiday won’t you,’ said Miss Svenson to the departing pupil.
‘Delightful child,’ remarked the Headmistress as the door closed. ‘Let us hope that the rest of your class live up to her example.’
‘They’re not a bad lot all in all,’ replied Miss Prendergast enthusiastically, ‘but perhaps not all quite as well-behaved as Melanie.’
The next through the door was a freckle faced cheerful looking boy named Joseph Carter who was also invited to sit down.
‘Miss Prendergast?’ The senior teacher looked straight away at the teacher for her comments.
‘Joe is a rather lively boy, good at his science subjects but rather weak in most of the others at which he should work harder. He is popular with the other boys and plays in the football team.’
‘So Carter, would you agree with your teacher? And do you have anything to ask me?’
The boy paused for a moment, then responded.
‘I think it was very fair Miss. So just the two please.’
Miss Svenson glanced at her colleague and, observing no dissent, stood up and took hold of the cane.
‘Very well. Get yourself ready.’
Joe Carter also stood and moved behind the chair, then bent forward over its back placing his hands flat on the seat.
‘By your own admission, you have engaged in a certain amount of minor mischief during the term which has gone unnoticed or unpunished. As a result you have volunteered to receive two strokes of the cane after which the school will consider the matter over and done with. That is, of course, unless we subsequently discover something more serious in which case you know the punishment could be rather severe. Do you agree?’
‘Yes Miss. Thank you Miss,’ replied the boy from his submissive position.
Two sharp cracks of the cane swished down across the boy’s shorts causing him to suck in air through his clenched teeth. However, Miss Prendergast noticed that the Headmistress was holding the cane about a quarter of the way down, slightly reducing the severity of the blows.
Jo stood up and rubbed himself ruefully. Then the cheerful smile returned as he said ‘Thank you Miss. Will that be all?’
‘That’s alright Carter. You may go now. Well done – and enjoy your holidays.’
Miss Svenson gave the boy a dismissive but good humoured wave as he let himself out of the room.
And so they continued down the list, about half of the boys and fewer of the girls opting for the “Two” which were delivered by Miss Svenson in accordance with her own judgment of each of the pupils. The rationale was to leave with a clean slate at the end of the term with little fear of later recrimination.
The best behaved were able to avoid any punishment provided both teachers agreed. Every entrant to the school had received two of the cane at their initiation to the I.P.R. system. These were very much token strokes though and delivered without any real force. They served to give the child a gentle taste of what they might expect if they later misbehaved and reminded them that corporal punishment was not only available, but would be used in the event of significant misdeeds.
When Martin Kelly came in, Miss Prendergast gave the Headmistress a meaningful frown. Martin was a big and boy, already taller than Miss Svenson and looked a little clumsy when perched on the classroom chair.
‘So, Miss Prendergast, who do we have here?’
‘Martin is captain of the football team but struggles with his lessons. I think he could try harder academically. Perhaps sport dominates his thoughts a little too much. He is also rather forceful in the playground and I am afraid some of the smaller boys seem a little afraid of him.’
The Headmistress turned to the boy. ‘So you are a bully, are you Kelly?’
‘No Miss. I mean.…I just expect the little kids to do what I tell them, see?’
‘Well, I cannot agree with that. You should understand that pupils have no authority here. It is the staff who must be obeyed. Anyway boy, after what your teacher has said, tell me what you expect from me.’
‘Maybe twoooo.…errr…’ the boy hesitated and looked across to Miss Prendergast who was shaking her head.
‘Better make it four for me then Miss.’
‘A very wise choice I think Kelly,’ replied Miss Svenson as she again reached for her cane.
‘You know the form I believe. Trousers down and over the back of the chair please. I suggest you grip the seat as well. You will be feeling these.’
Grimacing slightly the big boy complied. Because of his size, he was one of the few allowed to wear long trousers and consequently looked particularly ridiculous draped over the chair with them around his ankles. The teachers were, however, not unhappy that he should feel additionally humiliated in this way.
Miss Svenson took up her position and set to her task, this time using the full length of the cane. Four remarkably vigorous strokes followed, crashing across the seat of the boy’s underpants, each carefully timed to allow the hurt to sink in thoroughly before the next impact, and causing a grunt of pain after the second and a stifled yell of surprise at the severity of the last.
‘You may stand up now,’ said the Headmistress. ‘Do you have anything to say?’
Martin was struggling to recover his trousers.
‘No Miss, I mean yes Miss, thank you Miss.’
‘In which case you may go, but remember, I will not accept any bullying in this school.’
After Kelly had closed the door behind him, Miss Svenson turned immediately to Miss Prendergast to ask ‘do you think I was too harsh?’
‘No Headmistress. You were quite right to punish that boy. I hope now he will have learned his lesson.’
‘So, how many more are there this morning?’
Another half dozen class members filed through of whom only one opted for ‘two’ and the others were allowed to leave unscathed. Then an exceptionally pretty girl with cropped blond hair entered the study, flashed a smile and greeted them enthusiastically with, ‘good morning ladies!’
‘Good morning,’ Miss Svenson replied, ‘remind me of your name please.’
‘Vicky Roberts, Miss.’
‘And what do we know about Miss Roberts?’ she asked, turning again to the class teacher.
‘Vicky is a vivacious girl, perhaps occasionally a little too much so, but generally a good pupil. She is above average in most subjects and particularly good at English. She is also a hockey player and our best all-round athlete on the running track. Recently I have noticed she is also spending a good deal of time working on her gymnastics.’
‘Well Miss Roberts, that sounds like a pretty good report to me,’ said Miss Svenson. ‘But do you have anything to add?’
The girl paused for a moment before replying.
‘I think I’d better take two anyway Miss, just to be on the safe side.’ With no further fuss she moved around to the back of the chair and leaned forward to prepare herself for the requested punishment.
The Headmistress stood, moved in behind her and, as she approached, she flicked at the hem of the girl’s skirt with the tip of her cane.
‘I suspect that this is a few inches shorter than school rules allow, so.…..’ the skirt flipped up briefly revealing a glimpse of underwear.
‘What do we have here?’ asked Miss Svenson in a suddenly more serious voice. Again using her cane, she folded the girl’s skirt up to the small of her back exposing the skimpiest pair of red panties.
‘These are certainly not regulation school knickers. Which means young lady that you will be getting extra punishment. And you have double cause to regret not wearing appropriate clothing in that the four strokes you will now be getting will be delivered over underwear only. Had you been correctly dressed you would have had just two with extra protection from the more generous material of the school knickers and the skirt. Now you will receive four with your skirt up. So let this be a lesson to you.’
Despite her slim waist and probably because of her athletic prowess, Vicky Roberts had sturdy legs and rather well developed Gluteus Maximus muscles, thus affording Miss Svenson an ample display of mainly unprotected flesh, over which she proceeded carefully to space four lively strokes of the cane. The tiny briefs she wore offered virtually no defense against the blows. As they fell, vivid red marks appeared in a neat parallel pattern. Miss Prendergast was surprised that Vicky displayed no visible reaction to the lashing, which seemed almost as hard as that Kelly had taken a little while earlier.
The punishment complete, Vicky stood up and gingerly smoothed the skirt over her bottom.
‘I imagine you will think twice about school uniform now my girl,’ Miss Svenson observed.
‘Maybe Miss, I’ll see how I feel,’ came the response.
Miss Svenson was momentarily taken aback but swiftly rejoined, ‘I’ll have no cheek from you thank you very much young lady or you will be bending over for four more.’ She flourished the cane in the air but a slight smile played about her lips. ‘I think it is high time you were on your way before you get into any more trouble.’
‘Yes Miss and thank you Miss. And have a great holiday ladies.’
Vicky Roberts flounced out of the room with a swing of her hips and apparently not a care in the world.
The teachers glanced at each other and could not help smiling.
‘So Miss Prendergast, who’s next?’
‘Well Roberta Young and Christopher Williams are both off sick today so that just leaves James Thomas and I don’t think you will have any trouble with him.’
‘Good. Then call him in please and then we can have a cup of coffee.’
James Thomas was the smallest boy in the class and glanced nervously at the Headmistress’ desk as he settled on the chair.
‘I hear from Miss Prendergast that you are one of her star pupils Thomas,’ began Miss Svenson. ‘Now let me see. Very good at all academic subjects, almost always top in French and surprised even yourself by getting 100% in the recent Chemistry test. I understand that you are very polite, a promising young cricketer and the best gymnast in the school.’
Miss Svenson stood up absent-mindedly, collected her cane and turned towards the corner cupboard. ‘I cannot therefore think that I will be needing this again today.’
‘Sorry Miss but actually you will,’ said the boy sheepishly.
Looking surprised, the Headmistress swung round and glanced at Miss Prendergast who also seemed confused.
‘So what exactly do you mean by that Thomas?’ came the inevitable question.
‘Six please Miss.’
Both ladies looked bewildered.
‘I hope you understand what you are asking Thomas but I will explain to be on the safe side. You would have us believe that you have done something very naughty during the term which has not been found out yet. As a result you have requested six with the cane which will, as the rules state, be delivered on your bare bottom. Now tell me, have I beaten you before?’
‘Only the two when I first came to the school Miss.’
‘Well let me tell you, six of the best is a very serious punishment for which you really have no comprehension. Now, are you sure you wish to continue?’
‘Yes Miss. That is what I want.’
‘Very well. Get up and go behind the chair, drop your shorts and pants and bend over. I recommend you get a good grip on the seat as I don’t want you moving until the punishment is finished.’
Miss Prendergast looked very apprehensive as the small boy did as he was told, lowering his shorts and slipping his underpants down. In contrast to Vicky Roberts, James Thomas offered a very much smaller target for the Headmistress to aim at. Her face set grimly however, she settled to the task and took a first swing.
The cane slashed across the boys buttocks causing him to jerk convulsively. He was just able to settle again as the second came down almost on the same spot and this time he could not control himself, straightening up and his hands leaving the chair and clutching behind him as if to protect himself.
‘Thomas! Get back down,’ said Miss Svenson in her sternest voice.
‘Normally, as you have failed to maintain the position, I should start all over again. However, as this is your first proper caning, I will waive that rule and you will receive only another four strokes. Miss Prendergast, we need some help here. Please come and hold the boy down so I can finish this without any more trouble.’
The teacher, with a rather horrified expression on her face, came and stood in front of the boy. Gently she wiped the trace of a tear off his cheek and took hold of his wrists.
‘Come on now James,’ she said, ‘be brave – we can get through this together.’
Obediently the boy bent forward again and his class teacher gripped him firmly to hold his hands against the sides of the chair seat.
The remaining four strokes fell in sequence, a short pause between each as customary. When he was released, the boy took a little time to stand up straight and felt gingerly at his bottom, wincing noticeably as his fingers brushed the area where the cane had grazed the surface of his skin, and again where the angry red stripes were already beginning to merge into a large dark purple bruise.
‘Do you have anything to say for yourself?’ asked his Headmistress.
‘Yes Miss. Thank you Miss,’ he replied as he regained his composure.
‘You now understand why I was reluctant to allow you to take six of the best?’
‘Yes Miss.’
‘I hope at least this will mean that this need never be repeated while you are at this school.’
‘Yes Miss. I suppose so Miss.’
‘Now you may go. I cannot imagine you will enjoy the first few days of your holiday because you will feel very sore indeed. But at the beginning of next term we will start afresh. Now off you go.’
James Thomas eased his underpants and shorts up over his throbbing rear end and shuffled uncomfortably out of the room.
‘Do you have any idea what that was all about Miss Prendergast?’
‘No Miss Svenson, I just cannot understand.’
‘Well I think you need keep an especially close eye on two of your pupils. He is a good gymnast you say, so is frequently in the gym I suppose. And did you not just tell me that young Vicky Roberts was suddenly also spending a lot more time there? Just think about it.’
‘Headmistress, oh no! Surely not that!’