I didn’t know why she was asking and didn’t know what to say: “I’m not sure, miss.”

“She got eight strokes, Marling. I don’t think that young lady will be sitting down comfortably for a long time. But she was only due to get six strokes.

“Lindsey got two extra strokes because she made the mistake of standing up after just five strokes. I hope that you profit from her example and stay bent down until I tell you to stand. If you interrupt your caning in any way; standing up, putting your hands in the way, kicking your shoes off – anything like that – you WILL get extra strokes too. Do you understand?”

I nodded my head in dumb misery.

“Good! Well, let’s get this over with so we can both get back to work. Take your trousers off and put them on the chair!”

I was shocked. I hadn’t expected this. I made no move to obey.