Subject: Story - Rectory pt3 - M/M F/M - CP Lines: 595The Old Rectory PART 3
By the evening and tea time I was certainly very tired with all the exertions of the day both physical and mental, and with the excitement, if indeed that is the right word of adjusting to these unfamiliar surroundings, people and routines.
There was a period of preparation taken by Dame Hilda - the Doctor took most lessons, preceded by her individual interview with each of the day boys regarding their progress, behaviour etc and followed by an equivalent interview for each of Eddie and I.
These must have been different affairs because we boarders had a whole range of domestic personal and essentially non- academic aspects to be reviewed and either commended or corrected as required which the day boys could not have.
We, as did they, might have stored up penalty marks to be "beaten off" as the Doctor put it. I had been given three at that mornings inspection and had gained another two at lunch and tea time for minor infractions of table manners and behaviour.
Eddie told me he had a particular rate of "beating off" which was 1 stroke of the cane over trousers per mark, unless he acquired four when it was trousers down for the whole lot. This had been imposed upon him rather than been subject to any negotiation or contract but he thought it fair.
I also discovered there was kept a punishment book - a great red leather bound volume wherein the Dame recorded in considerable detail, and in a copper plate hand, all the details of the formal punishments and castigations meted out during the course of the day. Eddie also told me that each of us was obliged to counter sign our personal entries and acknowledge them in the process as being an accurate complete and fair record of the judgement and to make some small entry a indicating our feelings of gratitude and where relevant regret at having deserved such treatment.
All of this fell out as I had been forewarned, but as it was my first interview as such it was somewhat prolonged. For that reason Eddie preceded me. We had both been stood in the corridor in the "waiting to be punished" mode for some ten minutes until the clock struck 6 pm exactly. Eddie then knocked and entered on hearing the summons.
Through the door one could hear no conversation and I did not dare move from my position to put my ear to the door or peek through the keyhole to obtain further intelligence. After a further five minutes of so I could faintly hear the sound of a cane landing on Eddie's bottom - three strokes - as he had forecast, presumably over his shorts. I expected him to emerge soon, but not so and after a short break I heard more sounds of a caning taking place - a further six followed by the sound of a raised voice. Soon after the door opened and Eddie appeared being held by the ear by Dame Hilda - his shorts were round his ankles and his knickers just above the knees. His face was flushed hot and tear streaked. He was thus frog marched - or shuffle marched back to face the wall.
"You can stay there until after I've finished with Perceval you, perfectly horrid and disgusting boy. Hands on your head." Our governess then pulled his knickers right down and tucked his shirt up into his jumper so all of his bottom was bare and revealing the stripes he had just received at her hands.
"You will wait a further ten minutes until the clock strikes the half hour, Perceval, knock and then enter."
The door closed.
After a pause I whispered "What happened."
Out of the side of his mouth - "Not know -later"
"No talking!" A voice bellowed from somewhere down the corridor which made me jump and so I snapped back to the penitent position though my arms were getting very tired and my legs from having to stand so straight -in fact I could not sustain that an alternatively slouched from one side to the other bending the leg. More of these problems anon.
The clock chimed, I knocked, relieved to be able to move and entered as bid.
"Good evening Master Henry"
"Good evening Dame Hilda."
"Madam will do."
"Good evening madam."
"Nicely spoken, now come and sit here on this stool while we talk." She indicated a low wooden three legged stool, which while hard did afford my tired legs some relief.
"We must get a number of things clear and agree certain procedures and consequences related to your time here and to the aims we have set ourselves for your improvement. Your Pappa and Mama did not ask us to take you into our care and control just to while away the time between St Dominic's and your Public School. No. They feared that in that interval and in their unfortunate absence in the colonies you might neither maintain those standards of behaviour and regulation learned by you but in fact decline so that your entry to your big school would be a painful one in many senses. So to spend the time with one of your aunts or other elderly relatives was not thought prudent."
"Our task by contrast is to actually improve you. I have, due to the kindly foresight of your esteemed and learned Headmaster, who in time past I came to know very well, a copy of your final written record of attendance, scholarship and conduct. "
(Gawd!)
" It is not in fact a bad record and you do not appear to me to be an especially naughty boy and you do appear to have many good qualities. He comments favourably on your good heartedness, your cricket accomplishments, your diligence at some aspects of scholarship - though regrettably not in Latin - which the good Doctor will improve through some special tuition, but I will leave him to attend to that matter. He also says he considers you to be an honest upright young fellow, which may indeed be the case though in my experience most boys will lie if they think they can profit by it and evade detection - but for now let us assume he is correct in his appraisal.
" He also affirms that he has not found it necessary to punish you with any greater, nor any less, frequency that most other boys of your age in the school and generally for the usual things. Knowing your Headmaster as I do, I can be sure that such a statement, while entirely accurate does not mean you have been free from mischief and are in a state of grace - quite the opposite I would surmise. "
" All this is to the good and we shall ensure you maintain the high standards you have been taught to acquire - although in the absence of sufficient boys cricket may be a problem - I must ask the Captain about some nets so you can practice."
"However...." Always there is the however with adults! "...schoolmasters are notoriously inept at concentrating on other matters and unsurprisingly this document affords me no intelligence on matters of cleanliness, tidiness, dress and appearance, deportment, good manners at table and in other circumstances, attention to instruction obedience and humility, to name but a few."
All this was spoke in a kindly mellifluous tone with a pleasant expression. This gradually changed.
"I have therefore had to gather my own information by observing you closely and will continue to do so for the rest of this week. The incident of the long trousers we will omit as I consider that an isolated one, but in one day you have accumulated 5 penalty marks for slovenliness and bad manners. This will not do and I will not tolerate such poor standards do you hear me Perceval?"
The voice rose to a crescendo and I jumped!
"Yes madam."
" I sincerely hope for the sake of your bottom that you do for I shall not hesitate to smack, strap, paddle, cane and birch it regularly and hard if you do not."
The voice lowered again and became once more pleasant.
"Enough of that - we must get on. We have a system for dealing with these minor infringements - so long as I deem them so. For the first week we will not be too severe. I shall give you 2 strokes each, with my leather tappette on your bottom over your shorts for each mark until next week when you shall take your shorts down if they exceed three marks - for the whole of the punishment. Thereafter should you ever exceed 6 marks in a single day you will graduate to the wooden one which you encountered last night. Such a change is irreversible. Should you exceed 6 a second time you will graduate to the cane and to one stroke per mark, which is where Forrest stands presently."
" Any boy who has the unenviable record of ten or more marks will receive a birching, its severity and circumstances depending on his general record - have you ever been birched? - I thought not - your education has more than one gap I can see. Over twenty and a boy is in an extremely perilous position. Suffice to say, the expression "three week weals" is relevant. "
"Is that understood?"
"Yes I think so madam. I hope I can remember it as it seems so complicated."
" You needn't. Its all written down here. She indicted the large bound leather book of which I had heard.
"Here at the back is an entry with other details such as your age and so on. Some others still are required, but they can wait. However here I should like you to affix your signature to indicate you have heard what I have said and understand it. Come over to the desk and do so now. "
She rose gracefully and moved over to a large inlaid desk. carefully she opened the book at a page to the rear and selecting a pen, dipped it in the ink pot.
She beckoned me over and I stood next to her. She offered me the pen. "Now let me see your signature here, nice and neat and clear if you please. In full "Master Henry George Perceval."
My hand was trembling and I nervously in a scratchy fashion signed as indicated.
"I omitted to mention that handwriting was another area for our attention - this is not the hand of a boy of your age. Which brings me to another consideration. Your uniform. You will remain dressed as you are for most occasions until I think you have earned to right to be treated as a boy of your own age, which presently you have not."
This she said facing me in the chair holding my arms to the side and looking me straight in the eye, all in a soft kindly but unwavering tone.
" This may be a month or even two or possibly a matter of weeks but I doubt it. Until you are allowed bigger boy's clothes you will go to bed early at 8 pm and will be subject to regular scrutiny of your state of dress and cleanliness. Master Forrest has learnt his lesson well and should be an example to you,in that regard - if in no other.
" This particular status means I may decide to take down your trousers and spank you,on your bare bottom, in front of other boys and the staff if I think you have behaved in a childish and silly fashion. This I do not generally do with the others. Perkins is likewise fully empowered to spank you if she considers you merit it and she will be responsible for putting you to bed."
"Once you are allowed the more usual grey shorts and other clothes of a boy of your age then more severe but more private punishments are more usual. This condition is reversible and it is possible to treat you even more babyishly or even as a girl if you do not learn."
"Do you understand this?"
I said I did but I did not really completely grasp the principles that underlay the transition from my present status as an 8 year old to my proper age of nearly 13. What I did understand was that however good you were you'd get your backside whacked for something at the Old Rectory.
"Now to matters in hand. You have five penalty marks. Go and stand over in the corner."
I did, hands back up. Once again the keys jingled and a cabinet door opened as I waited for the instrument of doom to be selected.
I heard the door close again.
" Step back two paces. Now bend over and hold onto your ankles, feet together nicely. That's a good boy."
I waited for the first stroke - ten by my calculation. Nothing happened for an age. I could see nothing out of the corner and my eyes were limited only to the sight of my white stocking clad legs and shiny black buckle up shoes.
Then "slap!"
"One thank you Dame Hilda"
"Very good, you remembered, I should have taken your trousers down had you not."
The rest of the paddling was fairly mild. the shorts absorbed most of the sting and even by number ten I was able to call out the stroke in a clear, untrembling piping voice.
" Very good and clearly something you were well able to withstand. Some boys are proper little milksops and cry at the slightest thing. You're not a milksop are you boy?"
"No madam I'm not." The nerve of the question!
All that remained was for me to sign her record of the previous day's punishments - each set was one day in arrears.
The entry read:
" Perceval - Master Henry 12 years and 6 months of age - for refusing to remove forbidden articles of clothing at once when told - 6 strokes with the broad wooden Tappette on his bared bottom while kneeling on a stool. This boys bottom was well reddened by the punishment which produced some tears and contrition but which he bravely bore without flinching until completion. The offence is unlikely to be repeated. "
" Ibid - for failing to show proper respect for an adult in authority in not standing up when the Doctor entered the room on first making his acquaintance. - 6 strokes with a junior cane on the bare bottom, bent over, delivered swiftly. Well taken."
There was then a space for her initials or whomsoever might be the person giving the punishment ( I could see three or four different ones), and some space for my own and some words of regret etc. Some examples from other boys were above such as:
" I am truly sorry for my rudeness."
"I am grateful for my well deserved whipping"
" Double the punishment would have been fully deserved and I am humbly grateful for your mercy." ( This for twelve cane strokes Bare! The signature I could not make out. The date referred to was the previous Saturday.
I tried to think of something suitably impressive but not too "pi", so wrote "I regret unknowingly breaking the rules and will wear short trousers as instructed." and "A fair punishment".
"Hmm I hope I do not detect any hint of irony in you Perceval?"
"Irony madam - what's irony?"
"You do not have to know the meaning of the word for a thing to be capable of doing it. However I will reserve judgement saying no more, lest I encourage two of the very things I detest in a boy - archness and undue cleverness."
You may go now. Your bed time is at 8 pm be sure you are punctual - it will be checked. You may retain the light on low until Forrest is sent to bed - he is going early to bed when I have finished with him."
" Oh yes one more thing. A boy as young as you should be given a bath every other day, if not daily. Perkins has instructions to bath you before bedtime. A tub is kept in the shower room for this purpose. You will report to her there at half past seven precisely. Wear only the dressing gown provided and your slippers. "
I realised that by "as young as you" she meant my 8 year status as I knew Eddie had a bath night once a week which he was able to conduct as he saw fit in private in a proper tub.
There was only twenty minutes until I would have to be ready for that so I repaired to the Library, which was in bounds to us in the evenings provided it was not already occupied by the Doctor or the Dame. We were encouraged to borrow and read suitable books and I found one or two that attracted me, novels by Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson. There was a book on a table by the door with a notice indicating that I should sign out any books borrowed and that I was expected to keep them in a good condition. Turning corners back, tearing or losing pages and defacing any book in any way would be severely punished.
I went up to the dorm and read for fifteen minutes or so then stripped off for my bath, putting the dirty clothes in the basket provided. Clean ones would be laid out for us each day. Fresh changes were not kept in our rooms, so we wore what we were given for we had nothing else.
In the bathing room there was steam emitting from the geyser as hot water trickled into a great tin tub on the floor, which was about half full. Perkins was there already.
"Come along I 'aven't got all night. Strip off and get in.
"Why can't I do it myself. You don't have to bath me surely. I can do it myself." I really did not want this trollop seeing me stark naked. I was not after all actually eight years old any longer.
" Because Dame 'ilda says you can't that's why not. Do as you're told or I'll smack your bottom with this good and hard."
She brandished a fearsome wooden backed scrubbing brush so I threw off my robe and stepped out of my slippers and got into the bath as quickly as I could trying to minimise the time spent stood totally naked in front of her.
At least the water was the right temperature! They did not believe in scalding boys and were always scrupulous in ensuring that apart from those parts of the anatomy suitable for castigation we were fit healthy and uninjured in any way.
Perkins clearly did not enjoy this task, and did not like boys much either (which may have been why she was selected as Dame Hilda obviously did like us in a certain way) so she performed it in a fairly perfunctory fashion and in an ill mannered way allowed me to wash myself in the more private parts "Ere - you can wash that thing I'm not touching it 'oo knows what you've been doing with it."
I did have to stand up however so she could scrub the backs of my legs and my backside and she did take a delight in doing that and in making the bristles of the brush linger that little bit longer and harder where she would know I had been walloped. I "ouch"ed and resisted this so with her other hand she rained slaps on my legs.
"You (Slap! Slap!)keep (Slap!) still (Slap! Slap! Slap!) and shut (Slap!) your (Slap!) mouth (Slap!)."
This concluded my bath and I was able to step into a voluminous bath towel to be dried, again a task I was not allowed to do myself and which she excelled in roughness in performing while she sat on a stool in front of me.
"Ow stop it you're hurting - no need to be so rough!"
"I'll give you rough!"
At that she whipped off the towel turned me over he knee and began to belabour my still wet backside with that bath brush.
I howled! The brush was heavy and made an enormous slap on each cheek as it connected and with my still being wet ,hurt even more. I was also tired, upset at this treatment, shamed to be treated so by a mere female servant and quite bare. Tears flowed and I felt really sorry for myself.
I really do not know how many whacks she gave me - not that many really but it was the situation as much as anything.
She pulled me back onto my feet and completed the drying process as I snivelled.
"You're not so cheeky now are you, nor so big and bold - just a little kid really with a well smacked bottom. Well I'm not one of those who goes all la-de-da and full of talk. You cross me and I'll smack your bum good and 'ard. Now get off to be before I give it another go."
At that she gave my bare rump a smack and I grabbed the dressing gown, threw it about me like a cloak over my shoulders, slammed my feet into my slippers - wrong feet! - and ran still sobbing back to the dorm along the corridor.
Safely inside I threw myself on my bed and sobbed my heart out into the pillow.
I don't know how long this lasted but I heard a soft footfall and looked up to see the young man who had accompanied us for dance in the doorway observing me.
" What's the problem old chap - this place getting you down already. Its not all bad you know. We do have some fun and games, you just wait and see. "
This friendly and kindly meant intervention only set me off bawling again, so he sat on the bed and let me cry on his shoulder pouring out my woes. He didn't say much only "I know ain't it awful" and " You don't say" and "Did she really?".
Allowing my tirade to subside he became practical. "Now come on laddie get your nightshirt on and get into bed sharp now unless you want more of the same from the Dame.
I sloughed off the dressing gown - somehow I didn't mind him seeing me bare, and slipped the nightshirt over my head. He helped me get my arms in the sleeves when they became untangled.
" That's a good chap. That's better ain't it." He actually tucked me into bed. It felt good.
" What's this?" he inspected my books - " " Kidnapped" and "Rob Roy" - fine stuff for a boy your age - and just what is your age?" I told him and my name.
" Well just now you're not acting your age old chap. You're set up for the little boy treatment and you bawlin' your eyes out just plays into their hands - still there's many an older lad than you would react just the same I reckon - in fact, I know -". He said this last quietly, reflectively as if he was not aware I was even listening.
" Anyhow you get a good night's sleep and forget about Perky. Just play her straight and don't give her any excuse to wallop you. She don't like boys and that's a fact, even us older ones. Chin Chin old chap." He winked in a jolly fashion and I laughed - I could not help it.
" That's the spirit. We'll talk again - must dash."
So I had found another friend. Why was it only the men in this house were really decent to you and the women just beastly? The dame was alright sometimes but other times ran-cid! Still this was a jolly chap and a chum underneath it seemed. I'd have to ask Eddie about him.
And where was Eddie?
I kept the gaslight low, but suuficiently high to enable me to read by its light.
Immersed in the world of historic Scotland and Bonny Prince Charlie I forgot for a while where I was.
Some time later - round about the middle of chapter three came noises along the corridor and I swiftly closed the book marking my place and put it down, feigning sleep.
The door opened and in came Eddie the Dame hanging at his ear again. This time he was unencumbered by his shorts and pants and plainly an unhappy boy. My lack of sympathy for boys reduced to blubbing was now somewhat curbed following my own histrionics at bath time.
" Get into your night shirt at once and into bed you shall go."
Eddie prepared for bed under the unremitting gaze of the Dame. it was plain his backside had received further ministrations since I had last seen him emerging from the parlour. Once in his nightshirt he quickly dashed to the bathroom for his ablutions and on returning made his devoir at the end of the bed.
"I trust you said your prayers earlier young man?"
Ah, yes well.
"Yes madam." How easily a lie comes when you've no time to think.
" I hope so. I would not like to think you would lie to me about a matter of such importance."
Gulp! No spies I hope to pass stories on.
" Master Edward your night mittens!"
Once again Eddie had to put on his gloves and have them firmly secured round his wrists.
"Very well, goodnight boys."
" Goodnight madam." we piped.
Eddie was silent even after the golden half hour and would not be drawn.
" Later, I don't want to talk about it now.... sore....hurts."
He lay with his back to me his voice muffled.
I reached out across the gap between our beds to put my hand on him and convey my sympathy and support.
This seemed to break something for I could hear him crying once again. I could not forbear. The example of my comforter earlier that evening could not be ignored. I slide out of my bed and sat by him on the bed. He turned and buried his head into my arms sobbing. I rocked him slowly, glasping him to me in this fashion until he gradually he stopped, stroking his hair and whispering quiet words of comfort.
"Thank you Harry" he said. " That was kind." Then he gave me a little kiss on the cheek and smiled sheepishly.
I grew up a little that night.
TO BE CONTINUED
Crispin
The Old Rectory Part 4
"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers"
During the course of my second full day Eddie Forrest told me what had taken place the previous evening after I had been dismissed, while he had remained standing there, in the corridor, shorts and pants round his ankles.
It seems that Eddie was an amateur botanist, in the sense that many small boys can be, and had accumulated several local specimens of fauna from the garden, it being Spring; pupae, small frogs, caterpillars and other things. Some of these were on his person in his pocket, still alive, and whilst in the posture required for his anticipated caning, to work off his penalty marks, one of these, I cannot now recollect which, emerged from one of his trouser pockets, fully visible to the Dame, who reacted as ladies are wont to do.
He had then to turn out his pockets. The immediate response was a further six strokes of the cane on his bare bottom, with the promise of more after a lengthy period of waiting. This took the form of a prolonged hand spanking over the Dame's knee - until he cried in fact - followed by being put to bed in considerable disgrace as I had witnessed.
Another manifestation of this displeasure was to be found on his bed when we returned from our morning ablutions - he too had the black side buttoned velvet shorts, puffed sleeve shirt, white stockings, and black patent pumps laid out. He had also been reverted to an eight year old.
I must confess I felt a little better for that. Now I would not be alone while that awful maid bathed me in the evening!
"Oh Lord - just look at these beastly togs! You know what this means?"
"I should think I jolly well do after last night. Still at least we can share it together."
" You're right, its not so bad if there's two of you - might even be jolly. But ugh! - its so -"
"RAN-CID" we both chimed together and laughed. We would survive!
And so we spent the rest of the week in the routine ascribed to "eight year olds" at the Old Rectory. It made little difference in the classroom, the Doctor being relatively indifferent to these outward sartorial or theoretical distinctions. He treated all four of us more or less equally depending on our scholastic achievement and potential - which to him was that of a Prep school boy on the eve of Big school - he was stern, unremitting and cold - but he got his results too, although sometimes I felt he and Dame Hilda inhabited quite different worlds. He would cane us and strap us if we were unruly, cheeky, impertinent or lazy but he spoke to us as erstwhile ,intelligent beings and expected us to be capable of performing most tasks adequately.
In her own way and in pursuit of her own objectives, the Dame was able to unleash on us her full repertoire of humiliating and demoralising techniques, outside the classroom - but also in Prep I am sorry to say. We were constantly inspected, scrubbed, scolded, stripped of our shorts and knickers, slapped and spanked. The latter ranged from hairbrush (really beastly) to tappette to hand - mostly the latter - and we soon learnt that only tears could be relied upon to bring relief from any prolonged spanking. Dame Hilda studiously avoided "big boys' punishments".
We both became intimate with the corners of various rooms and with the patina on the walls of parts of the corridors, from prolonged periods facing them. It became a privilege to be permitted to retain one's trousers for a whole hour at a time when under her supervision.
The maid Perkins had two boys to torment but lacked the stamina and convictions of our mistress and was unable to divide her energies in such an unpleasant a way as I had experienced the second night. She was still pretty awful and we plotted our revenge.
By the weekend I do believe we had almost become eight year olds in our minds and even began to go to sleep at half past eight, tired, often jolly sore in the way mild sunburn is sore, and invariably tearful. That said we were a comfort to each other and became close and good friends, cementing a friendship that sustained us both over the months ahead. No particularly spectacular or extraordinary incident marked my passage through the first schoolweek at the Old Rectory.
Through all this we both became good little eight year olds and by Friday Dame Hilda announced.
"I am very pleased with your behaviour during the last two days (This having just spanked us both yet again?!). So much so I am contemplating allowing you both to be treated as older boys. I will review the position at the end of next week in the light or of your future behaviour. So it lies in your hands."
Eddie had already explained that at the weekend we were generally free of both the Doctor and the Dame. He had been taken out Saturdays by the maid, sometimes accompanied by the Captain - the man who had comforted me on the Tuesday evening - on shopping expeditions, and on Sunday there was matins. Little was seen of the Doctor of the Dame who were otherwise engaged with their weekend young gentlemen apparently, and Eddie explained that only on Sunday evening, when he had dined with them - the only formal meal taken in such a manner - did he have much discourse with them. He also explained that Sunday was a "beating holiday" - he had never been punished on a Sunday and any offenses committed on that day were carried forward until the following day.
Generally, despite this relatively more liberal regime Eddie found it rather dull and was pleased as punch he had a chum to while away the hours. Opportunities for some fun (mischief to adults) existed aplenty but with no-one to share them, and any consequences, they palled quickly. I have to confess we had both come to such a state of mind that, to paraphrase, said " might as well be flogged for a jest as a jam".
So, Saturday dawned and a lie in - an entire extra half hour - an hour on Sundays - and by the usual hour for school we were abroad into the local borough with Perkins while she did the weekend shopping. Cook usually did this weekdays, apparently (sic - Perkins explained at considerable and boring length) but at weekends Cook was away and "other arrangements" were made.
You may wonder what sartorial arrangements applied for such outings while we were regarded as eight year olds? I regret to recall we wore sailor suits - apparel I had not worn since before I went Prep school. Winter style of course with blue jackets, not white, long dark blue shorts, black woollen stockings and stout shoes, but not the school togs we would expect to wear with pride - unlike these dreadful modern times when school boys do everything possible to avoid wearing their school uniforms.
However I digress. We had our pocket money, sixpence each, which was a considerable fortune to a boy then, and resolved to buy humbugs, gobstoppers, toffees and other dentally deleterious sweets, and any incredibly useful jokes, tricks or other cunning items, to help us formulate a plan of campaign against our selected principal enemy - Perkins. Eddie's knowledge of local fauna would also be brought to bear.
Perkins was too consumed with the outrageously arduous nature of her duties, as she saw them, to pay much attention to our activities and we were able to obtain (inter alia - my latin today is I suppose, a credit in part, to those times) rubber bands, some glue, string, some small fireworks - bangers - and a realistic rubber imitation spider!
With the sweets our sixpences (and my own small reserve of sixpence "travel money" which I had kept safe) were virtually exhausted. We were moreover consumed with ambitious plans and schemes and resolved to spend the afternoon working on the details on our plans - and ruining our teeth and appetites!
One of our plots involved booby trapping Perkins room, but before deciding exactly how to accomplish this feat, we needed a recce, which required one of us to cross "no boy's land" from our side of the upper floor to the other forbidden side. Before this could possibly be accomplished successfully we needed to determine exactly where all the adults in the house were located or be confident they were otherwise busily engaged.
We returned to the Old Rectory in time for lunch - cold meats and pickles - and were told we were not to go upstairs before six o'clock, which was as Eddie had described was usual. We were free to use the library, the garden and the conservatory - which was also a sort of playroom for us with a few games like shove ha'penny, draughts and chess available.
We had to have a plan to divert Perkins, who would be working downstairs most of the time but who could not be depended upon to do so,so one of us could conduct the reconnaissance. We had calculated at least ten minutes would be needed uninterrupted to find out what we needed. We had hit on a bold but, to us , dangerous plan. One of us would have to need minor medical attention - Eddie said the maid could not stand blood, so while she would be little use in a genuine medical emergency, which we most definitely did not want this to appear, she might be relied upon to spend sufficient time flustering and flapping while she found a bandage to staunch any flow.
One of our acquisitions was - fake blood!
To make it a credible scenario, whichever one of us it was, would have to have a genuine cut, so having tossed our last remaining penny to determine the division of responsibilities, the loser, Eddie, took his penknife and made a small but impressive incision in his left thumb - for a chap who regularly blubbed at a whacking he was remarkably brave when subjected to other forms of pain.
Incidentally, the reader may consider it strange we were in possession of such an article, given its potential for mischief, but in those times, as indeed to some extent in these, more attention was given to the social and other behaviourial graces and standards exhibited by children than to basic considerations such as child safety!
We wrapped a pocket handkerchief liberally soaked in the imitation blood around the injured digit and in this condition searched out Perkins, who we found in the dining room supervising one of the below stairs servants in laying the table.
"Oh my gawd - what 'ave you done master Eddie - you 'orrible little rascal - I can't bear to look - run it under a cold tap at once - Polly go and fetch me some bandage from the scullery and some iodine." (poor Eddie!).
In the turmoil I slipped unobserved up the left hand stairs. I had taken the precaution of removing the laces of my shoes so I could slip them off before ascending and creep along more quietly. Once at the top of the stairs I crouched down - in the fashion I had read in one of my Boy Scout books so I could peek round the corner of the corridor to our wing before proceeding, showing the lowest profile near to the floor. To my astonishment there were two boys stood in the hall outside the schoolroom. Their hands were on their heads and one of them had his shorts and pants taken down, the other wore shorts so I assumed that was what he had round his ankles.
I pulled back startled. Eddie had told me that there were weekend boys who cane to the Old rectory for tuition but he understood they were older the we were but had never actually encountered any of them, having never strayed outside his appointed bounds. I peeked again. They might be older - it was difficult to tell with their backs and sides , and in one case backside, only on view. In my crouched position I could not easily determine their heights. To all intents and purposes they resembled us save they of course were in greys - lucky them.
I then gave some thought to my situation, which was perilous. Even assuming neither the Doctor nor Dame Hilda came out into the corridor to haul either or both boys back inside to receive whatever they were due, they would almost certainly see me if I continued in my quest, and not knowing either of them could not rely on them to keep cave. Yet I was reluctant to abandon my mission.
One thing was sure, which was that indecision was fatal - ere long Perkins would have dealt with our little emergency and might return from below stairs and spy me or more likely my shoes at the foot of the stairs. I decided to risk discovery and, my heart pounding raised myself up and inched my way sideways while still in the shelter of the small space of landing between the balustrade and the wall to the far right where the forbidden corridor began.
When I was half way there I heard a door open and froze, rooted to the spot. Was this nemesis? An unmistakable voice came from the right. The Doctor!
"You may rejoin the class now. Pull up your trousers Anstruther. let that be a lesson to you. I hope I will not have cause to beat you again this afternoon. Fredricks I will deal with you now."
I held my breath so as to ensure I caught every nuance of movement as this instruction was followed and when the door closed decided now was my time!
On my tip toes I swiftly sprinted to the door we had guessed was the entry to Perkins' room on the upper floor, opened it, entered and closed it behind me perspiring profusely!
There was no time to lose. Up the stairs I went. As we had hoped there was a bathroom, with a geyser. There was an inner door at the top of her stairs, with no lock, which then led into a small hallway off which was her bathroom, sitting room and bedroom. That was all we really needed to know, but on a piece of paper I had in my pocket I briefly sketched a plan of her quarters against any future need.
The time had come to retreat - and as a spy was of no use unless his intelligence could be guaranteed communication to his masters, I secreted the paper inside my sock, at the top where it turned over. I had thought of putting it in my knickers but if caught, given the proclivities of my likely interrogators, that would be one of the first places exposed to view!
So quickly and quietly back down stairs, slowly opening the door to the forbidden corridor - all was still safe - so out once again and a tip-toed dash for the landing. I was safe just out of view and began to descend the stairs when I nearly jumped out of my skin as a voice behind me said:
" And what are you doing upstairs boy?"
It was the doctor. I had to think fast. I assumed he did not know exactly where I had been else he would have apprehended me sooner so opted for the lie direct.
" Please sir I needed to go to the dorm to fetch something."
"Indeed. But you knew that the upstairs was out of bounds to you this afternoon, including your dormitory did you not?"
"Uh - why no sir - that is not exactly."
" Really - and are you in the habit, therefore, of going about in your stockinged feet?"
Trapped! " No sir." with that hang dog tone that all boys adopt when caught red handed - or was it red footed?
"We'll let that pass for the moment. What was this article that you were so desperate to obtain that you rashly imperilled your bottom's safety and comfort in order to enjoy its use before 6 pm when you could have had access to it readily at that time?"
I really had to think fast this time - what could it be? That's it! "A book sir - I wanted to get the book I was reading."
" What book was this?"
" Kidnapped - by Robert Louis Stevenson sir."
"An admirable choice if I may say so and good reading for a boy of your age." He paused, peered down at me, looked me up and down and from side to side. He adjusted his spectacles, then motioned me to take my hands from behind my back and show him my hands, grunted, then indicated I should turn around completely. He grunted again.
" Forgive me, uh, Perceval, but am I to conclude that the absence of the aforesaid excellent work of fiction by Dr Robert Louis Stevenson about your person, indicates that you were unsuccessful in your search.... or that you are lying?"
" That is correct sir, that is to say I could not find it."
" Oh dear - how unfortunate to have placed your bottom in such jeopardy and all for nothing. Well the very least we can do is to make this travail you are to undergo worthwhile. Let me help you search."
At that he swept away grasping my hand and with me in tow headed for the dormitory.
By now I knew I was lost, totally and completely. An abyss opened up in front of me and all I could think of was the possible choices of punishment to which I might look forward.
On entering the dorm it was a simple matter to expose my story as a complete fraud, for there on the bed, unopened lay the book, which he immediately seized.
" Are you perhaps blind boy, that you could not see this book?"
I hung my head, I could not look - he had me completely trapped -no lie or logic or excuse could save my skin. I could not speak.
"A complete fabrication, though to what purpose I cannot at present tell, turn out your pockets."
This I did but we had taken the precaution of secreting our contraband articles elsewhere, and the few sweets and wrappers I revealed were not as such _d_a_m_n_ing evidence.
" Well I doubt you will be persuaded to tell me what you were really about.In padding about with no shoes on you were clearly fully knowledgeable of the restrictions that had been imposed and had sought to avoid detection. Whatever you purpose was it cannot possibly be so serious as to have justified your lying to me three times in addition to breaking bounds."
"I also see you have broken one of my strictest library rules by turning down the corners of this book in order to mark your place!"
Confusion worse confounded! Hanging would be too good for me now!
"Master Perceval, Dame Hilda and I are far too busy this afternoon to pay any attention to a naughty boy caught breaking bounds while on some unknown prank, who then tries to cover up for his sin by lying and who also breaks a strict rule. You will report to my study downstairs at precisely half past six. Until then come with me."
I followed meekly along our corridor to the far end and was shown into a bare unfurnished room. It had only one high dingy window, bare floorboards and a few items of wooden furniture stacked at one end - no chair or stool.
"You will remain here until sent for. Should you have need of it I believe there is an old chamber pot hereabouts."
At that he turned on his heel and left. I heard the key turn in the lock.
Doomed!
I sat on the floor pulled my knees up to my chest and clasped my arms around them. What an age until half past six - at least five hours. After a while I inspected my gaol in the hoe of finding some diversion to take my mind of my likely fate. Nor could I find. The drawers of the old chest of drawers were quite empty. The table was bare of any articles and the walls were free of any adornment. I could hear rain beating against the window which must have been at the end of the house in the eaves. I was indeed wretched. there was now where I could sit or lie in comfort. The floor was hard and the table no softer. There was no heating in the room either so I soon felt cold. There was a paraffin stove in the corner but no means of lighting it.
I therefore tried to warm myself up with a little exercise, some pressups and other physical jerks.
I was in the middle of one of these - touching my toes as it happened when the key turned in the lock and in came the maid.
" Practising are we - I should think so too - you've got me in real trouble sneaking upstairs like that. I wish I could lay my 'ands on you but I'm not to so there's and end to it. You're to be flogged by the Doctor his self and so you've to make the rods. Here's birch twigs and ribbons and a paper with instructions."
She laid these items of the table. She also turned on the gas light and lit the stove.
" Master says boys locked in here are not to be allowed to catch cold so I've to light this - cold or no the Doctor'll warm your backside good and proper. You see you make those right - you saw what 'appened to the other boy earlier so think on it."
She turned as she was about to leave the room. " I'll be back in an hour to fetch the rods so don't slack."
The instructions indicated that each rod should comprise between seven and twelve switches and that any "greenery" should be removed. This had mostly been done already. On no account was I to remove any of the tips. A diagram indicated the desired conical shape with the outer most twigs curving inwards. It was not difficult to see the relevance of this stricture.
Making a rod for one's own back is a common enough popular expression but there must be few who have ever actually had the experience of doing so.
I needed several attempts before being able to amass the right group of twigs to create the desired shape. I did my best with the ribbon to tie the handle tight. I then swished it through the air and it seemed to survive that process well enough. I prayed it would survive the requisite number of strokes to be delivered to my bottom as I did not want the second to be worn out on me.
I applied myself no less diligently to the second as I could not tell which would be put to first use on me.
Not long after Perkins returned. She inspected the rods.
" I daresay they'll do." She then turned towards me.
" You're not to wear those clothes for your flogging so strip off and I'll fetch the proper ones."
" If you bring me them I'll dress myself thank you Perkins"
" Cheeky young bugger!" (She was coarse!) She slapped my face twice , one each side and while my hands leapt to protect me from further assault swiftly unbuttoned my shorts and pulled them down to my ankles. I was defeated and complied while she pulled the navy jersey over my head and my woollen stockings off my feet. She allowed me to keep my knickers, but nothing else. She then departed bearing the birch rods and my sailor suit - ,which I was not entirely unhappy to see the back of, but felt even more wretched to be reduced to virtual nakedness while waiting to be whipped.
Contrary to her statement she did not immediately return with fresh clothes. Sitting on the bare floor clad only in my knickers my bottom soon became numb and I had once again to indulge in some exercise to keep my muscles from seizing with cramp. In the process dust and dirt from the floor clung to me coating my feet, legs and backside.
She did return nonetheless with my "shame" clothes but immediately mad a great fuss about nu filthy state.
" You wicked boy, 'ow can I dress you in these when you are like that, kicking up all that dirt. I shall have to wash you now."
She flounced out, with the change of clothes. When she returned she wore a long rubber apron and carried a small tin tub containing some water, a scrubbing brush and soap and a bathe towel.
" Get them off and stand in this." She indicated my knickers, which were also grimy.
I knew enough now not to resist and slipped my knickers off and stepped into the small bath, which was cold water. I then experienced a cold scrubbing from head to toe - everywhere - accompanied with slaps to my legs and bare bottom when I wriggled and writhed. Most of this was not needful as the dust had attached itself to my legs and feet and backside but Perkins regarded this rough and unpleasant treatment as a punishment as well as a necessary procedure.
Once dried off she announced "I'm not going to do this again and I'm not letting you dirty nice clean clothes again so you can stay as you are, and you're to stay still - stirring up dust - whatever next. . She removed the long rubber apron and laid it on the floor.
"Now sit down on that."
I obeyed, thoroughly chastened by now, and sat with my knees drawn up, my arms resting on them, trying to offer myself some dignity and privacy.
" To see you stay put you can wear these till I come to change you."
At that she slipped a leather strap round my ankles pulling it tight and before I could protest another round my wrists.
" We only usually use these when a young gentleman is to be given a whipping with the long cane, like in court, and they get to wear their knickers in 'ere but I'm having no more nonsense."
At that she swept out and left me even more wretched than before. It seemed not part of me but felt raw from the cold scrubbing and with my hands and feet secured I could only lie on my side to obtain a comfortable posture. I tried to sleep, but could not and tried to work out just how I had landed myself in this state. Surely this was not what I had intended?
I must have dozed off eventually and woke to the sound of the key in the door once more.
It was her again, this time with some fresh clothes. Was it that time - my heart sank.
" Wake up sleepy head - don't want you dozing off when the Doctor takes the birch to your backside do we?"
She released me from my restraints and allowed me to rub my stiff limbs to restore circulation. Then she dressed me. First the long white stockings, then a long tailed shirt that came down to below the waist. Then the black "shame" shorts - side buttoned with no seat, keeping my bottom fully exposed, for she tucked the shirt well up into a short black bum freezer jacket which she helped me put on the usual patent leather pumps. She brushed my hair and with a clothes brush ensured I was spotless.
Looking me up and down "Picture of innocence ain't we , but not at the back with your bare bottom for all to see. I've to pin this on you at the back. It was a notice that read.
"To be birched for breaking bounds, lying and defacing school property"
She spun me round and pinned it to the back at the top of the jacket.
"Now you're ready - walk ahead - you're to go downstairs now and wait the rest of the time there. And remember what you've to say and do when the time comes for your whipping."
Quickly she reminded me of the litany of response and counter response that preceded and followed a full formal flogging.
Our little procession ended in the side passage to the right of the right hand staircase which led to the Doctor's study. Apart from the door to that room it was cul de sac. there hanging either side of a brightly burning gas lamp were my two rods, made to look gay by the addition of brightly coloured ribbons. They hung on hooks at eye level. I was told to stand under the lamp, with my hands in the usual position facing the wall.
I had noticed the clock in the hall had struck six as we descended the stairs so realised another full half hour of agonized waiting still remained. I could here its ominous pendulum motion and the clunk as the minute hand made its inexorable dread progress to the half hour and my appointment with the two rods dangling before me.
Silence otherwise persisted until not long after the quarter had struck doors opened and I heard many voices - male voices, laughing and chatting. they grew louder and I realised they were heading my way. Down the narrow corridor they came and into the Doctor's study swept three, four, five - I could not be sure - people. They seemed to ignore me completely. I was not sure whether that was a blessing or not.
I could hear them in the study, for the door was ajar. The clink of glasses indicated liquid refreshment being taken. A toast was made " To the Queen - our lady birch!" Then laughter " And her latest acolyte!"
" Yes to the boy about to be whipped!"
I was unable to hear further exchanges as an unseen hand closed the door, and only murmurs and muffled laughter penetrated into my solitary vigil.
Then the clock struck the half hour and as the final chimes faded I heard the swish of a gown and looming behind me was the Doctor.
" Turn around boy. It is time to broaden your education. I hope you studied the procedure carefully."
" Yes sir. Perkins has taught me."
" Capital. Now you are to receive your first taste of Lady Birch. This is a solemn moment and one you are privileged to be able to share with an appreciative set of witnesses. I expect your best deportment and a proper demeanour sirrah, your very best now."
In a strange and unexpected kind of way this bucked me up and I had a very slight sense that, for the Doctor, this too might be an ordeal, albeit of a rather less demanding nature than my own part in it. In later years I knew this to be the case absolutely and in the weeks to come developed a strong feeling of respect and affection for this man which commenced that day.
I followed him into his study, holding the two rods crossed in front of my chest. As we entered all conversation ceased and those who had been seated stood up. The room was full of young men - five of them - flushed with the contents of glasses in their hands, presumably of sherry and with a strange gleaming light in their eyes. Silence deep and solemn hung in the air.
The Doctor's study was not a large room and it was not full to bursting so i could not imagine how I might expect to be whipped in these circumstances.
" This young man has, as the note on his back indicates an appointment with me for chastisement and correction. We shall repair to the adjacent chamber to fulfil this undertaking.
The Doctor lead and I followed and the others came behind - which gave them an uninterrupted view of my bottom - which I fully knew and understood as I could hear a few whispered remarks from behind.
" I see the beak's got a clean unmarked target for his aim."
" Yes pert little backside - just right for the rod."
" Envy will do you no good - you were not so different when you were a lad. "
" Happy days"
These whispered conversations ceased as we filed into the adjacent room. which was the exact room in which I had witnessed the earlier flogging of the day boy. This time there were no ladies or servants present. The gathering was entirely male.
In the centre of the room was a set of steps it seemed to me - a block I now know - padded with leather on the steps but made of solid wood otherwise.
I could guess I was its immediate intended user.
As complete quiet ensued the Doctor stared down at me and intoned " Master Henry Perceval come and stand before me. Why are you here before me?"
" Sir I am here to be punished for breaking bounds, lying in order to evade punishment and abusing a library book"
The litany was not exact - the important thing was to cover all the important points and in the right order and with the right tone of humility and acceptance.
" An outrageous set of offenses for which only a severe flogging with the birch will suffice. What have you to say?"
" Sir - I acknowledge my offenses and freely admit them. Please punish me as I deserve."
At this I knelt and presented him with the two rods.
" Very well. You may rise. Go over to the block and stand before it. He nodded at two of the witnesses to this exchange who stepped forward, one to either side of me who escorted me to the block.
" Unbutton your trousers."
I fumbled with the buttons, but managed this task. My heart was beating madly but with strange kind of excitement and a most peculiar feeling in a certain place.
One of the young men then pulled down my trousers slowly to my ankles, while the other moved to the head of the block.
" Go down."
"Kneel on the second step, let your feet rest on the one below." Whispered the one who had lowered my trousers into my ear.
He helped me rather unsteadily take up my position.
As I settled down, the other helped by indicating equally softly where I should place my hands. He also whispered in my ear " Keep your elbows well tucked in. He then stood up and bent over me and I could feel my shirt being pulled up and tucked into my jacket. I was now fully exposed and ready for the birch! he remained looming above me lightly holding my shoulders, my head almost between his knees. I found all these ministrations to be kindly calming and reassuring.
" I am going to give you two dozen strokes twelve with each rod. Should either rod disintegrate due to your faulty workmanship in constructing it, I shall of course employ the remaining rod until it also
falls apart."
I was confident I had constructed them adequately so girded myself for two dozen.
I felt a tickling sensation on my backside as the rod was laid against it. It sen a shiver down my spin and I tensed my backside.
" Swish - splat!"
"One" the voice of my "holder down"
The sensation was unlike any other - my whole bottom felt affected but the outer edges where the tips had bitten stung fiercely.
" Swish - splat!"
"Two" Ooh I thought that does sting - again the exterior pricks of the birch punished my flank or so it felt.
"Swish - splat! "
"Three" Ah now that was quite different. The birch landed lower down and square to my bottom and I felt fully naked to its attack in a way no other instrument had ever done. This had a powerful effect on me and soft murmur escaped my lips.
"Swish - splat!"
"Four" An exact repeat and at this I cried out " Oh!"
The hands of the holder-down pressed firmly but not cruelly.
"Swish - splat!" "Swish - splat!"
"Five " " Six"
These were quickly delivered and this time to let and nearer left hand side, the tips biting into my tender bottom crack. Another "Oh!"
Six had been delivered and while nor seemed as bad as some cane strokes or indeed the Dame's wooden tappette I felt a greater dread for each stroke and my bottom began to feel afire with prickles.
I could hear the doctor switching sides - presumably to deliver the backhand strokes I had witnessed earlier. Sure enough the next stroke landed on my outer left buttock and stung the more for that flesh being unaccustomed to such coverage. I cried out at this and at the next which repeated the blow. I felt shaky and nervous but the holder down then did an unusual thing he placed his hand on the small of ny back. This steadied the buffs!
The doctor then delivered four strokes to the tops of my thighs where the bottom joins the legs and these hurt terribly so that by the conclusion of the first twelve strokes I was crying somewhat, but managed to stifle it.
A pause ensued. A new rod was being substituted. This opportunity was used to allow me to recover composure. I cannot recall the detail now of the second half, save that my bottom felt hot and prickled all over by its conclusion. The birch was used so as to cover the whole of my bottom, as my subsequent inspection made clear. Each stroke produced cries from me and the Doctor went progressively more slowly between strokes.
"Swish - splat!"
"Twenty-three." "Oh! Ow! Oh!"
"Swish - splat!" "Aah! Oh OW! Oooh!"
"Twenty four, punishment completed sir"
A pause ensued as I tried to recover myself quietly. After a while hands helped me up and turned me towards the Doctor. I remembered the ritual and knelt before him, kissing the rod in his hand.
"Thank you for my well deserved whipping sir"
"Indeed. Well done my boy. Thank you gentlemen."
He then swept out. So did three of the young gentlemen, the two who had helped me stayed. they assisted me in recovering my trousers and removed one or two bits of twigs that had lodged between my cheeks.
One offered me his pocket handkerchief to blow my nose, and as I nodded to him to indicate that I was grateful and alright now he slapped me gently on the back.
" Well taken laddie - welcome to the club."
He then shook me by the hand. The two of them then escorted me back into the study where the other three had repaired. Each in turn congratulated me and shook my hand. They all eagerly inspected my still exposed bottom remarking on the accuracy and effectiveness of the Doctor's handiwork, and asking my opinion into the bargain.
I could only opine that as I had no comparator upon which to draw it was indeed the hardest birching I had ever had.
This produced laughter and I was offered a sherry. I demurred fearing the wrath of the Doctor or the Dame, but was assured this was quite usual and acceptable as I was now "one of them".
I was unclear of the significance of this. None of these arrangements or inferences had applied earlier in the week. It was also gone 7 O'Clock and I was due for my bath at half past the hour, so asked if I might be permitted to depart.
"Of course old chap - of you go - but remember you are one of us now - today was special - you may not realise it now. Only some of the Doctor's real pupils join our band and he has clearly seen in you what he saw in us, many years ago in some cases. we are indeed a band of brothers - "we few we happy few" as the bard has it. Anyway cut along now we don't want that woman spoiling this artwork with her bath brush."
How did he know I wondered?
TO BE CONTINUED!
Crispin