He lifted the cane high and brought it down full force. He aimed at the bruised underbum and his aim was true. The boys roar told him that. A waited about two minutes before landing another one just above the first. The boys bottom shook with the impact as the cane bit deep into the fleshy lower parts. David was beside himself with pain. He couldnt believe that such pain existed and he was sure he would not survive 22 more such cuts.
But of course he had no choice. Gregory took his time and waited between each stroke to make sure the boy had composed himself, that his position was properly retained and that his bottom had recovered sufficiently to absorb the next solid cut.
Julie and Elizabeth were in the kitchen preparing tea for the guests that would be arriving shortly. They appeared to ignore the loud cries that emanated from the study but Julie was sure that her daughter relished each scream. She didnt dislike her brother but she relished the idea of his being soundly whipped across his naked buttocks. She admitted that she enticed the boy to misbehave so she could watch at least part of his punishment. Later, when the boy would lie weeping on his bed, face down, she would enter his room and make up with him. She always managed to get David to agree to her having a good look at the his striped and wealed behind. Threats or promises that always worked even though some promises were not always kept, while threats were invariably carried through.
Now David hung on to the heavy wooden legs of the chair, trying to stay down even though his backside was being flayed cane stroke by cane stroke. Or at least so it felt. The cane left purple and black ridged across his bottom that added interest to the crimson background.
After one dozen, David was sent to stand in the corner, hands on his head, to recuperate somewhat. It took a whole hour before his father returned and during all that time David didnt dare move his feet, he just lowered his hands and gingerly tested his blazing bottom. He felt the hot ridges, the swollen lower part of his buttocks, already hard to the touch, where the cane tip had done its most good.
After one hour, Dawson returned. Back across the chair, my boy, he said, indifferent to the boys pleading glance. When David had resumed his posture, Gregory picked up the cane once more and administered a fierce second dozen that seemed to make the boys behind smoke and sizzle. David wept bitter tears during this entire session and who could blame him? His bottom was thoroughly worked on by a man who felt no sympathy for a naughty, misbehave young boy. The last stroke was the hardest of them all. The boy was still howling as he returned the cane to its place.
The guest have arrived, he said as he heard the front door bell ring. Pull up your shorts and come along. Hurry up, now, boy.
Oh, please, sir, the boy whimpered through his sobs, maynt I go to my room first?
No, you will come with me now and greet our guests. Or are you going to argue with me about obeying my instructions? The fathers eyes went meaningfully towards the cane stand.
David quickly changed his mind and carefully drew up his shorts. They fit snugly, clinging to the rounded shape of his small bottom, each cheek clearly outlined, with the middle seam cutting deep in between.
Dawson gripped his sons ear firmly and propelled him into the living room where a family of four were just removing their coats, hats and scarves. They all turned towards the door as father and son made their entrance.
Mary, Hal, how good to see you again, Dawson greeted the parents. And look how Bobby and Ruth have grown! How old are they now? he asked Hal Gibson.
Ruth is 16 and Billy now close to 10. Children, say hello to Mr. Dawson. And you will remember young David. Looks like hes been in trouble again to judge from his face. He seems to have cried quite a bit to have such red eyes and tear-stained cheeks. Come here, David, and lets have a look at you.
Davids face flamed with the heat of embarrassment as he slowly shuffled forward to shake hands with Hal and Mary Gibson. Ruth grinned at the boy and held out her hand. I remember you, she said. You were just a little boy in tiny shorts when I saw you last. I see you still wear tiny shorts even now. She laughed while David started to sweat with humiliation. Ten-year-old Billy just looked at him in awe. Such a big boy in brief shorts just having received a good whipping, from what his father had said. Yes, he could see it in Davids face and the way the boy stood, slightly bent forward, his shoulders hunched. The boy refused to look at anybody and just stared at his feet.
David had to go over to Mary Gibson and shake her hand as she sat on the sofa. Come closer, boy, she said, gripping his small hand and drawing him in front of her. Is it true you were whipped? she asked kindly.
After a short hesitation, he nodded and mumbled an almost inaudible Yes, maam.
Why was he punished? She addressed the question to the boys father. Im sure it was well deserved. David looks like a boy who needs frequent whippings.
Answer Mrs. Gibson, David, Gregory said sternly.
The boy flushed an even deeper colour and sweated more freely. Oh, please, he started, looking beseechingly at his father.
Now, his father said. You dont want to be punished again, do you, boy?
N-no, sir, the boy quickly said and licked his lips. His face was now beet-red and his forehead damp. His short blond hair was darkening as he slowly, hesitatingly, told his audience about how he had thrown a book at his sister.
During the recital, Hal and Mary made small comments. Well, I should think so, Mary said when the boy recalled his fathers words that such an action merited severe punishment. Excellent idea, Hal had added with a laugh when told that the punishment would be repeated three more times. And so it went through the entire episode. Each time David tried to take a shortcut, his father reminded him of some small detail he had omitted.
Even young Elizabeth added to the boys discomfiture, describing how the birch rod and marked the boys bare bottom and how loud he had screamed during the following caning. Hal and Mary nodded their heads in full agreement with the treatment meted out to the young delinquent.
When it was finally over, the boy was dissolved in tears once more. And the fact that even more intolerable.
Come and sit on my lap, David, Mary said when the sad tale was told. I hope that from now on you will be a good boy?
When David didnt answer immediately, his father stood up and moved towards the door. I think I have to get the cane again, he said, looking at his obstinate young son.
No, no! David quickly moved and deposited his swollen, throbbing buttocks upon the bony knees of Mary Gibson. This lady encircled his waist with one hand and started caressing his bare thighs with the other. David shifted uneasily on his sore buttocks and Mary laughed. Hes still sore, I gather from his squirming, she said. Sit still, now, David. You dont want your father to fetch the cane, do you?
No, maam, David whispered and kept his backside as still as possible. When he was finally getting too heavy, Mrs. Gibson pushed him off her lap and with a sharp smack on the seat of his tight shorts, sent him off to sit by himself. The two young guests didnt miss the pained expression on Davids face when his bottom had been smacked and were duly impressed by the efficacy of the punishment he had obviously received.
All right, Julie Dawson said at last, lets go into the dining room. The tea things are ready.
As they ate they chatted and joked. Only David squirmed restlessly on his hard chair. His was the only non-upholstered chair in the house and he had to carry it from room to room if there was company. This was very humiliating to the boy and his face became a deep red each time he had to perform this task.
I hope you will stay for the weekend, Gregory said later on. They had finished their meal and were heading back to the living room, David once more carrying his chair.
Davids face crumpled as he heard this question. No, no, not this weekend. He was going to punished again the next three days and he knew that the guests would be invited to witness at least some part. But to his dismay, he heard Marys reply.
We would be delighted, if its not too much trouble putting up with a family of four.
Not at all, Julie said. Ruth can stay with Beth and Bobby can sleep in Davids room. Im sure there is plenty of space for all.
David was quite disturbed. He was forbidden to wear pyjamas at night and therefore had to sleep naked. Little Bobby is bound to see - and comment on - his well-whipped backside and make comments about it later on to all and sundry. This was unbearable. But he had little choice but go through with this as best he could. Perhaps he could get into bed before Bobby got back from his bathroom visit. David had to make sure he had bathroom privileges first and beat Bobby to it.
Unfortunately, it didnt work out that way. Bobby, being younger, was sent to bed ahead of David who still had to help with the dishes. Later, he was even more distressed when she heard Ruth say, Ill be up later and say good night to Bobby. If you dont mind, we can go up together.
Thats all right, David quickly assured her. You can go up first; Ill be there shortly.
Oh, all right, Ruth replied placidly.
When all the chores had been duly performed, David trudged upstairs, sore and tired. To his dismay, when he reached his room, Bobby and Ruth were still in animated conversation. David withdrew and spent as much time as he dared in the bathroom. But when he heard his mother calling, David, arent you in bed yet? You will go this instant! he decided hed better go and get it over with.
When he returned to his room, Ruth was still there. She was sitting on his bed in which Bobby was now lying.
Excuse me, Ruth, but Im going to bed now.
Well, dont let me keep you. Your blanket is on the floor over there. Your mother said you were to sleep there.
I have to undress. Please leave, David urged now more forcefully.
Ruth just smiled. Your father said I could read Bobby a story before turning off the lights. So you just can go ahead with whatever you have to do. I wont disturb you.
What to do? After a moments thought, he went downstairs again and found his parents in the den.
Please, he said as he tentatively looked into the room, Ruth is in my room and wont leave.
So? Whats the problem? his mother asked.
Well, I have to get ready for bed.
I dont think Ruth will be in your way. I told her she could stay with Bobby as long as she liked. Now go upstairs and go to bed and stop making such fuss.
Are you being difficult again, David, his father asked ominously.
No, sir, its just that -
Not another word, boy, his father now snapped, irritated ny the boys persistence. Get to bed this minute or Ill lose my patience with you.
David knew what that meant and grudgingly turned. Good night, he muttered and returned to his room. Ruth was still sitting on the bed, book in hand while Bobby listened to her reading. David quickly took off his shirt, slippers and socks, then stood undecided in his little shorts. Finally he decided to use the blanket on the floor as his dressing gown. He lifted it from the floor and drew it around him. With some difficulty he then tried to unbutton his shorts while at the same time holding the blanket up.
After struggling for several minutes, he got his shorts off but dropped the blanket. As if waiting for this moment, Ruth jumped up and took hold of the blanket. David tried to recover his shorts but was too late, Bobby had jumped from the bed and snatched it away.
Lets have a look at that bottom of yours, Ruth exclaimed and Bobby grinned, clapping his hands. Yes, lets! he cried. Between the two of them, they prevented David from gathering any other article to cover himself. Now he stood in the middle of the room, crouched over with his hands in front while the two young guests circled him laughing.
Wow! exclaimed young Bobby. That bottom really looks all plumped up.
And its actually black and blue, his sister added. I thought that was only a figure of speech.
David was close to tears by now, his face once more pewter with shame. Go away, he screamed at them.
Whats now going on in here? Gregory Dawson made his sudden appearance, cane in hand. David, why arent you in bed?
I - er - I was trying, but Ruth and Bobby - The sentence was interrupted by a loud screech. Owwww! The cane had flashed and found a very tender target.
Kneel on the bed, David, his father ordered sharply. I see you still havent learned to behave yourself.
David thought of protesting. Ruth and Bobby stood, eyes big as saucers and their mouths open with expectation. In the end, David obeyed the order, got on the bed, went on all fours and then lowered his upper body bu leaning on his elbows, head between them.
Knees apart, boy, and bring your buttocks up higher, his father instructed. disregarding the gaping guests. David assumed the shaming position and held his breath. The cane is going to be ever so painful on his still throbbing behind.
It was. David tried to keep quiet but after only two terrific stroked of the cane across his lower buttocks he had started to howl. Two more on the upper thighs and the boy dug his face into the bed covers to dampen his cries. Two more across the buttocks and the father lowered the cane.