Dependent on the slip or slips that would be lined up on her desk, Housemother would then discuss the merits and offer suitable praise and encouragement, or discuss any demerits attempting to determine the reasons and then suggest remedies. Sometimes, she had both merits and demerits to talk about with the same pupil.
It’s important to remember that only pupils with either a merit, demerit or both would be on the list and required to visit the Housemother’s rooms.
Now, if the overall net score was zero, or better still a plus number, the pupil would leave her room with a smile or at least a sense of relief.
For minus scores (a net demerit score), the form of punishment she employed would depend on the actual total.