Maybe the boy needs a refresher course in obedience, Graham said in a menacing voice. Nicholas, take your shorts down this instance!
B-but, sir, I cant - the boy stammered, tears now starting to flow. Not in front of - of- here he looked timidly at Betty.
Very well, my boy, as you wish. Go and fetch the tawse from the study.
The boy glanced at the visitors, his face flaming, then at Graham. The latter was implacable. Run along, now, boy. I wont repeat this again.
Slowly the boy turned and the adults followed the childs slow progress, their eyes on the skintight shorts, the wealed upper thighs and the bare legs. There was a murmur of approval as the boy disappeared around a corner.
Two minutes later Nicholas reappeared holding the tawse in one hand as he would a live snake, his other on his right buttock. With another imploring look at Bronson, who looked at him sternly and just nodded, and then to the tutor with equally little success. Finally, resigned, he handed him the tawse.
Betty, Graham turned to the girl, since you are interested in the results of a boys good whipping, please take down the boys shorts since he wont do it on his own.
Of course, Betty said with a smile, rising from her chair. As the boy saw her approach, his hands flew to the waistband of his shorts.
No! Ill do it! Ill do it! he wailed.
Hands on your head, boy, Graham snapped sharply. Youve had your chance but decided to disobey. So now you will stand still and let Betty bare your bottom for your spanking.
Hawthorne hadnt thought it possible for a boys face to get even redder, but Nicholas turned almost puce with shame as the girl proceeded to unbutton and open his skimpy shorts. She paused for a moment when the boys small genitals popped into view but then pushed the shorts down his thighs until they fell to his ankles.
Good, now raise his shirt, if you would, so all can inspect the results of a sound thrashing.
This was also accomplished and the boy, now openly crying, stood naked from stomach to ankles, staring at the floor. Nicholas could feel all eyes on his bottom but he couldnt possibly face his audience in this state. He just squirmed and sweated with shame.
Those cane marks are truly magnificent, Helen Hawthorne exclaimed. I assume that the dark bruising was caused by the tawse?
I expect so, Graham shrugged. Of course the cane also bruises if laid on properly.
That bottom is really a sight, Betty added, tracing a finger along the ridged lower parts of the boys buttocks. She felt the flesh quiver.
Now look at Betty, the tutor continued, delighting in the boys misery, and apologise for your disobedience.
The boy slowly raised his face and looked at the girl through his tears. He couldnt hold the glance long and his eyes quickly darted back to the floor. Being exposed like this in front of an audience and a teen-aged girl, was too humiliating.
I want to hear that apology, Bronson reminded the trembling youngster.
I- I am sorry - for having - disobeyed, the boy finally muttered.
Again, Graham insisted, but louder so everyone can hear you.
I am sorry for my - er - disobedience, the boy repeated, louder this time.
Good, now bend over this chair. I would suggest a dozen strokes for refusing to obey orders. Anyone wants to volunteer? Betty, perhaps?
Betty laughed and looked at the boys striped buttocks. I dont have any experience, she said but her voice indicated she was willing to try anyway.
Give him a few smacks and see how it feels. It doesnt take a lot of experience to whip a boy. You just have to get the aim right and hit as hard as you can. So if you stand over here...
Betty took the tawse from Graham and weighed it in her hand. Quite heavy, isnt it? Then she smacked the tails against the palm of her hand. Ouch! That really hurts! she exclaimed. Nicholas face was glowing as he stood half-naked in front of the girl, waiting for his punishment. The others watched and laughed.
Under the tutors guidance, Betty placed herself as indicated. The tawse felt thick and heavy in her hand. The two long tails seemed to have a life of their own.
Under Grahams direction, she raised the tawse and brought it down. She was surprised at the swishing sound as it rushed down towards its target and at the considerable impact of the tail tips on the boys flesh.
Very good, Graham said, but you need a bit more force so the boy feels the effect. He probably didnt feel this at all. He said that despite the loud gasp the boy emitted upon receiving that first tentative stroke.
The second try went better and Graham nodded. The boy had yelped loudly. Good. Give him one more and then youll have the necessary experience to give the boy his dozen. Just make sure you dont let up until the last stroke has been applied.
Betty was a fast and eager learner and had the boy screeching with pain after just 4 solid whacks across the boys already tender buttocks. As directed, she aimed for the lower bottom and upper thighs, especially on the parts in between where the boy perched when at his work, and that area soon turned purple. After another 4 lashes, the boy roared to make the windows shake.
Hold on for a moment, Betty, Bronson said, as the house phone had just begun to ring. He lifted the receiver and listened for a moment.
Im sorry, Julia. Yes, yes, its that stupid son of yours. Hes making this infernal racket. Yes, all right. Were almost finished. He hung up and turned to the visitors.
My wife isnt feeling well and the noise down here is disturbing her. Betty, just finish off the last set of 4 and then the boy can back to his room and review his schoolwork. Julia needs to rest and Nicholas antics are getting on her nerves.
Maybe its time you teach the boy to take his whippings more stoically, refraining from shrieking like a stuck pig and take medicine with more self control.
Nicholas, bent and trembling, listened with nervous fear. He didnt like what this conversation implied. His bare bottom, burning and throbbing, was the center of attention and he wished it were over. He longed for the peace and privacy, even if only momentary, of his room.
Betty had been fondling the tawse during this interval. The tails seemed to have warmed considerably after their workout on the boys flesh. Now she took a deep breath and raised it once more. Nicholas bellowed without restraint which annoyed Bronson and amused Dr. Hawthorne and his daughter. Another solid crack and the thick tails landed on the boys thighs. Another unearthly shriek.
The boy is being obdurate, Graham said impatiently. Nicholas, you will take the last 2 strokes in complete silence, not a cry, not a whimper, or Ill take you some place else tomorrow and thrash you until you have learned to take your discipline in silence.
You can use our home, Dr. Hawthorne said. Helen is usually busy and Betty is in school or visiting her friends. So the house is at your disposal, and of course Mr. Grahams, whenever necessary until Julia has recovered. As a matter of fact, I have a spare room which you can use as your school room. There is plenty of space for you to work in. He laughed.
I think I will hire a nurse for Julia, Bronson added. The housekeeper is too busy to take proper care of her. I think this will be a good arrangement.
Graham turned to Bronson. Does this mean that I can take the boy to Dr. Hawthornes whenever he needs to be thoroughly thrashed?
Yes, thats what he means. Until you have taught the brat proper comportment when under discipline. Now lets finish off the last of this punishment - in complete silence.
They waited for a moment. There was no sound in the room except the boys hard breathing. Bu that stopped as well when the boy saw Betty raise that awful tawse. When it smacked sharply against his inflamed, burning skin, he could not prevent a small gasp.
Not good enough, Bronson said. This one doesnt count. You will remain absolutely quiet, boy.
Betty swung the tawse with all her might. She was becoming an expert and the thick tails ate into the fold of the boys buttocks, curling in and underneath the fleshy cheeks. Nicholas keened under his breath.
Again, Betty. 2 more strokes, Graham said.
The tawse fell on the same spot and Nicholas writhed in agony. Not there! Oh, please, not there!
Two more, Betty, Graham said, unmoved.
Betty now swung the tawse in an upward motion, stinging between the boys buttocks and inside the upper legs and despite the boys resolve, he cried out in pain.
I just hope Julia can bear this until its over, Bronson grumbled. Come on, boy, lets see some pluck. Boys are supposed to be able to take a good whacking in a more civilised manner. Pull yourself together or we will all have to move to Dr. Hawthornes house this very afternoon to complete your thrashing.
Betty tittered, swinging the tawse. She knew now where to hurt most and her aim was true. The boys body arched in pain but no sound escaped his lips this time. Only his breathing was laboured.
And then - at last - came the last cut. The tails curled around one cheek and the tips stung the sensitive cleft. They waited in silence for a second and then the boy moaned.
One more, Betty, Graham instructed. The boy just wont learn.
Betty walked over to the boys other side and this time the tawse curled around the other cheek but bit into the same spot in the cleft. The boy gurgled, frantically trying not to make a sound. But a sound he made and another stroke was applied.
The original dozen were almost doubled by the time the punishment was finally over. The boy was allowed up and ordered into the corner, hands on his head, shirt tucked up, shorts around the ankles. All eyes were on his chubby little bottom, swollen and discoloured.
Next time itll be at Dr. Hawthornes house, Bronson said to the sobbing little boy in the corner. Mr. Graham will not be as lenient as Betty was with you today. He will have all the time necessary to teach you a proper lesson and how to take it in silence. You will stay there for 2 full hours.
To his guests he added, A little tea before you leave?