My brother and his wife were called away to another country. They would be gone for three months......
Their adpoted son would be coming to stay with me. Peter was noine, nearly ten and I knew that he needed strong discipline, the sort our father had given me and my brother.
Of course George and I had discussed Peter, George had already started to use the cane regularly at home and the boy was coming to the end of the first term at his new school where the headmaster, a friend of my brother's, had been giving the boy some extra attention after school. George was determined that Peter would do well at school.
Peter would be staying with me for the whole of the summer holidays and although he would have preferred to stay with the parents of one of his freinds, George decided that the sort of freedom he would enjoy there would not be conducive to improvement with his schoolwork.
The whole of the summer would be a time for me to test and drill the boy. A quiet and respetful boy would greet my brother upon his return from the trip.
Peter would sloeep in a bed in my room so that he could be closely supervised. I had only met Peter once before and he was a good looking little fellow. The boy was healthy and able to take a good hiding, according to George. The boys bottom was 'quite a beauty' as George put it, not large but pert and able to take a good amount of the stick.
Myu brother asked me to be quite strict with Peter and I assured him that I would be.
The day of Peter's arrival dawned and George and Peter arrived late.
George asked me to lead Peter to his room and we shopwed the boy his closet, instructuing him to place his clothes neatly and to retuen to the living room when he was ready. I watched closely as the boy climbed the stairs in front of me. I was hoping that George would not stay too long. The sooner he left the sooner i would be able to check that my instructions to fold his clothes carefully had been carried out. As I watched the crease of Peter's shorts flex with each step he took I knew that I would really enjoy the boy's stay.
Downsatirs George explained that he had packed the shortest and most whippy of his canes in the case, that Peter would discover it on opening the case andf that I shoud ot hesisteat to use the thing when I needed to. I asked if George would object to me using an old slipper on Peter and he just laughed and siad that such matters were up to me and that I should discilpine Peter as I saw fit.
Peter looked a little embarrased as he entered the room, I think he might have haerd the last oart of my brother and my conversation and he had , by now, discovered the cane.
We both stood at the door as george waved goodbye form the car.
I led peter by the hand to the stirs and told him to go ahead of me.
Peter looked nervous and did not know what to expect.
As we entered the bedroom I informed peter that once he was put to bed he should not leave it until I told him he could.
it was five thirty and still sunny but I told Peter that he must bath and cahneg into his pyjamas before tea, he looked at me a little surprised but I was pleased that he obeyed me, starting to undess. He looked around and I explained that he should place his clothes on the chair at the end of his bed. I was pleased that Peter was not embarrassed about undressing in front of me and I sat on the edge of my bed and watched him. Peter blushed as he pulled down his underpants. I stood, held his hand and led the naked nine year old to the bathroom.
I let the boy run the bath himeself with insructions not to place any water on the floor.
The clothes had been placed in the closetneatly and the cane was standi ng resting against one of the walls. went to my own dresser and took out the slipper I intended to use on Peter that evening and put it in his closet before making a cup of tea.
Peter looked a picture as he entered the kitchen about twenty minutes later. His hair was neatly brushed and he smelled of shampoo.
I told him I was pleased that he was staying with me and explained that he would be expected to do svchoolwork in the mornings and that the afternoons would be for play. I added that I was pleased he had placed his clothes neatly and that I expected him to keep himself neat and tidy whilst he was with me.
''Did your father explain what would happen if you disobey me Peter?'' I asked the boy sternly.
''Yes uncle'' Peter replied
''tell me'' I enquired
''You will punish me with my cane uncle'' Peter replied quietly, clearly fearing the implement.
''That's correct Peter...so I suggest you obey me carefully... now time for tea.''
That evening Peter received a very long whacking with the slipper. I had pulled his pyjamas down to his knees and then patted my knee as the sign for him to bend over. He went without complaint. George had told me that Peter was now accustomed to bending as and when he was told, fearing the additional whacking which would follow failure to do so.
I placed my hand on his smooth silky bottom mounds, then raised the slipper and whacked it down hard on the soft surface. I could have sworn that the boy's right buttock bounced as the slipper landed, the flesh turned a shade of red and Peter squeeled with the sting of pain. I really let the boy have it that first evening, he was wailing when I decided to stop the whacking and rub his small bottom better.
The next morning Peter would dress in his school shorts, socks and black leather shoes, white shirt and school tie. Lessons would begin at eight thirty and end at one o'clock. After lunch I would mark his work whilst Peter played outside in my yard.
Punishment for errors in the schoolwork would take place after bathtime. I expected one hundred per cent accuracy in the tests. Some parents may think this too strict but George felt that anything less that complete accuracy was just accepting inattention. Like our own father George reminded me that if he let Peter off with ninety per cent, why not fifty per cent.
I am glad I am not Peter.