At last, she commanded silence on the threat of punishment.

We made it about five minutes before the door flew open again.

“The talking is bad enough.

But the language I hear coming out of you two  is a disgrace!”

We blushed. We’d been swearing like sailors and not even realizing it.

We didn’t swear in front of our parents, but we’d let our filters down at our aunty’s place.

“Your father gave me full permission to punish you as I see fit.

You’ll be returning to bed with sore bottoms tonight.

Downstairs, both of you.”

In silence, we sloped down the stairs and followed our aunt into the living room.

“Wait there.”

She disappeared into the kitchen.