I am not sure if the boys were tougher or Mr Reynolds did not hit as hard (which, again, was the rumour) but the howls that came from the office of Miss Cuthbert were always much more distressing to listen to.
Miss Cuthbert would tell you to report to her office about 15 minutes before the end of class.
Nothing further was said but you knew what was going to take place.
I would change into my standard gym uniform,
which included a thin nylon set of shorts that offered no protection at all from the paddle.
I was a nervous wreck in the class and always kept strict track of the time,
not wanting to get her mad if I was late for my punishment. I, and perhaps another student or two, would be waiting outside of her office when she came back from class.