In spite of having been caned on successive days Philip was generally happy with his new life. Although "Sir" was very strict with him and the canings he had received were painful at least he was fed much better than at the orphanage. Also he had nice clothes, a room to himself and, best of all, he had been given ice cream for dessert. He reasoned in his 7 year old way that once he had got used to the rules he would be able to avoid the trips to the study.
"Sir" however had other ideas. He was enjoying his new role as a disciplinarian father. He had decided to maintain control over his new son. The slightest misbehaviour would be dealt with, and dealt with severely. Arthur secretly hoped the boy would transgress so that he had an excuse to march him to the study. He fantasised about new punishment positions. He had originally intended thrashing Philip over a hard backed chair but the boy was, at the moment, a little too small to fully reach over the back of it. Arthur had therefore settled for the traditional schoolboy toe touching position. The moment Arthur most enjoyed was when, cane in his right hand, he pulled down Philips briefs with the left one. He enjoyed hearing the boys tearful sniffling and occasional little "please Sirs".
He also wondered if a second "adoption" might be possible. He had asked the orphanage at the time he was adopting Philip and was told it would not be a problem but at that time they had no suitable children. He was delighted therefore to receive a letter asking him if he would urgently contact the orphanage. He had phoned immediately and was told there was a ten year old boy, like Philip from gypsy stock, who had just been placed in their care. He was a very troublesome child though, they had said. Arthur said he would give it a try. The orphanage frankly were delighted and made arrangements to have the boy ready for collection that evening.
Arthur told Philip to make sure he was home on time as they had to make a trip to the orphanage after school. Philip had started to weep, fearing he was to be returned there but Arthur had told him not to be silly (reinforcing his words with a sharp slap across the childs thigh). He then explained about the new boy. Philip was a little concerned. He had only just moved into a room of his own and now an older boy was going to be sharing with him. At the orphanage some of the older boys bullied the younger ones.
After Philip had returned from school they had driven to the orphanage to collect Paul (as Arthur had been told the boys name was). When they arrived they were shown into a waiting room. The head of the orphanage then came in and asked Arthur if he was sure he wanted to proceed with this adoption. Arthur said he was but the superintendent went on saying that Paul had been a constant troublemaker since his arrival. Arthur asked for a list of misdemeanours and was told of incidents of bullying, stealing, swearing and other matters. Arthur had looked straight into the eye of the orphanage manager and then said to Philip "Tell this gentleman how I deal with naughty boys Philip".
Philip looked at Arthur "With the cane sir" he said.
The manager looked on approvingly. "Is there anything else Philip" asked Arthur.
"On my bare bum Sir" and then realising with horror his mistake "Sorry Sir on my bare bottom".
"It looks like you may have another bare bottom session after that language young man" chuckled the manager as Arthur glared down at Philip.
"We will deal with that later" barked Arthur. And turning to the manager then added "I can assure you I will deal with the new boys misbehaviour here the moment we arrive home. I most definitely want this child".
And so Paul was brought in. Like Philip he was of gypsy stock with slightly darker skin than the average European child. He had jet black hair and beautiful hazel eyes. He had been told earlier that day he had been found a home and was looking first at Arthur and then at Philip realising this was his new "father and brother". Arthur noticed the child appeared slightly undernourished, the orphanage fed the kids as well as it could afford but money was not too plentiful.
Paul was handed over and the drive home began. Immediately they arrived home Arthur instructed Paul and Philip to accompany him to the study.
He began addressing Paul. "You have behaved badly since you have been at the orphanage boy. I have rules here which must be obeyed or there will be painful consequences. I am going to punish you now for your naughtiness at the orphanage but first I have to deal with Philip as he used bad language to the manager while we were waiting for you. Philip prepare for your punishment and show Paul the procedure for discipline in this house."
Philip removed his shorts, bent over and touched his toes. Arthur was watching Paul intently and was delighted to see the boy visibly flinch. Arthur strode to his cupboard and produced the rattan. He then performed his ritual with Philips briefs, lowering them to the knees. Arthur wondered what Pauls underwear would be like as he had not yet had a chance to buy clothes for the new lad. Paul noticed the stripes across Philips bottom from his previous visits to the study. He then stood behind Philip and administered the first stroke. Philip squealed and tearfully called out "One Sir" as Arthur insisted. Paul flinched again. Arthur delivered another three before telling Philip he could stand. He then turned his attention to Paul.
"The manager told me that you are a bully, a thief and a general troublemaker boy. Have you anything to say"?
"I promise to be good" spluttered Paul.
"I hope you will be. However we must deal with the naughtiness you have been involved in. Take off your shorts" Paul lowered his white gym shorts (normal orphanage wear) which were too short for him as the orphanage had to make do with what clothes they could afford or be given as cast offs by the local charities. He was not wearing underpants and Arthur felt cheated at being deprived of the pleasure of lowering this boys underwear. "You will be given 6 strokes for stealing, 6 for bullying and 3 for the other things you did. Bend over, and if you get up before I say or cover your bottom I will add strokes".
Without warning Arthur lashed the cane across Pauls rump. The lad gasped and remembered to blurt out "One sir" as he had heard Philip do. Arthur continued the beating and was surprised that Paul did not actually cry out until the fourth stroke. He was obviously a strong little lad. The beating continued and Pauls crying and yelling became louder and more pitiful but he remained stoically in position until he called out "F-F-FIFTEEN-S-SIR" and was told to stand.
Without further ado Arthur replaced the cane and told Philip to show Paul to the bedroom they would share. He further added that dinner would be served at 6.30 and then went and sat down in front of the t. v.
He was enjoying life as a father.