Punctually at noon Basil presented himself at Grahams study. He had bathed and changed into his school uniform and now stood neatly dressed in shirt and shorts, socks and slippers. He was surprised when he saw Mr. Pryor sitting comfortably in an easy chair by the window.
Basil, you have had the impertinence of appearing in class still dressed in PE kit. This is intolerable Graham said sharply. You know the rules. Any boy who willfully disobeys school rules will be severely punished.
But, sir, Mr. Burbank didnt allow me to -
Dont blame your misdeeds on others, boy, Graham snapped.
Pryor sat and watched, greatly amused, as the boy tried in vain to explain his lapse in following school regulations. While Basil was still giving his excuses and pleading for his release, Graham was busy inspecting his cane collection. Only half-listening to the boys explanations, he approached him, cane in hand.
Shorts down, he said simply. Pryor had to smile at the boys crestfallen expression. It was remarkable how a small, insignificant object like a school cane could drive a boy to tears.
With a small whimper and a renewed imploring look at Pryor, whose cold eyes didnt offer any help, the boy lowered his shorts.
Over the bench, came the next order and Graham pointed to a leather-upholstered bench he had moved into place. Pryor crossed his legs and sat back as the boy bent, obediently exposing his striped bottom.
I will give you a dozen, Graham announced, swishing his cane. If you give me any trouble, Mr. Pryor will repeat the process. Understood?
Yes, sir, young Basil muttered, steeling himself for the first stroke.
Graham whipped the boy with a will. Each stroke was carefully aimed to cause the most pain. The cane landed full strength across those tender portions across the lower buttocks and upper thighs that had always received most punishment. At each impact, the buttocks contracted in agony, only to relax again after a few seconds as if inviting the next stroke. After three forceful strokes, the boy started to cry freely. Pryor watched impassively as Graham whipped the boy soundly. At the last stroke, which the boy greeted with a loud bleat, he rose.
Lets have that cane, Graham, he said. I dont think Basil has behaved well under punishment. Too much noise, too much squirming and kicking. I will now give him his second dozen. He can then go back to lessons with Mr. Harris.
Pryor concentrated his strokes across the same area as had Graham, extracting even more noise from the bare-bottomed boy. The men didnt pay attention to the boys contortions, they just avidly observed the ever deepening welts across the boys round, chubby little backside.
When it was over, Basil stood, shorts still around his ankles, his face tear-stained, eyes red, nose running, blubbering out his misery. The men laughed.
Pryor scribbled a note and handed it to the weeping child. Here, take this to Mr. Harris. He is to keep an eye on you and see to it you sit still and dont touch your bottom. He is to report any further disobedience to me immediately. You may pull up your shorts.
Basil quickly obeyed, took the note and fled. Outside, he met his friend William who stood, pale-faced and scared-looking, awaiting his own fate. They touched briefly as they passed, then the door closed behind William and Basil rushed down the stairs to his class before he could hear Williams cries of agony emanating from the study.
A few days later, Pryor sat at his desk reading a letter he had just received from Basils parents.
Dear Mr. Pryor,
We appreciate your recent letter giving us the progress report on Basil. However, I wouldnt call it as such. Obviouslty, there has been little progress as we note that Basils behaviour has still not improved enough. We understand from your letter that he is being difficult, that he dislikes study and will not do his homework properly. We know, of course, that Basil has always been extremely lazy and slow in learning but are disappointed to hear that such faults have not yet been rectified.
It seems that despite all your promises, you have been too lenient with the boy. We had warned you that the boy needs firm discipline and requires frequent, severe punishment. It appears that you have not been severe enough. We would therefore recommend that you initiate a more formal regimen of discipline. You are hereby authorized to administer a sound tawsing every morning after rising, before bathroom time, and again at night before lights out. We want Basil to learn that his bottom will always be sore if he doesnt mend his ways. We would also suggest that you instruct your teachers to make an example of the boy by awarding him less time to finish an assignment and grade him most closely with due thrashings if he falls short.
We had to delay our departure and have given Maureen Walker permission to extend her own vacation. We will therefore have to leave Basil at the school for another week if that is agreeable to you. If it is not, we will naturally make other arrangements.
Please give us a ring at your convenience to let us know if you agree with our plans.
Yours sincerely,
Eve and Herman Gorthon.
Jack Pryor smiled as he folded the letter. He would enjoy having Basil read his parents instructions. This last week at school would be no fun for the boy. He would see to that. He picked up the telephone receiver and dialled.
Mr. Herman Gorthon, please, he said. There was a short pause, then,
Hello, Mr. Gorthon? Jack Pryor here. Yes, I just received it. Yes, Im afraid the boy is quite obstinate and I have decided to keep him here that extra week. He listened for a moment. Yes, I understand very well. Well keep him under close observation. Yes, hell get his morning and night whippings as you suggest. The usual with the heavy tawse is two dozen. Yes, we can make it three if you like. You realize that he will be caned during the day for his misbehaviour. Yes, yes, I see. No, I dont have much sympathy for lazy, disobedient boys. Yes, I will also see to it that the other masters cane him whenever needed. Oh, yes, they know how to handle a cane. He laughed. Yes, we did receive the martinet and Im sure it has been used on him several times by now. I must say, its an extremely effective tool.
After a few more exchanges, the conversation was ended and Pryor put down the receiver. He thought for a moment and then made another call, this time to Graham.
Graham, sorry to interrupt, but I just had a conversation with Basils father. He repeated the gist of that telephone call. So you see, you have to put Basil through his paces on a daily basis. The boys stay has been extended by a week and the parents want that week to be extra severe so that he is returned home duly chastened. Do you think you could bring yourself to beat the boy with some special rigour? There was laughter on both sides of the telephone. Make sure the boy is black and blue behind when we send him home. We dont want to disappoint his parents for a second time.