What explanation he gave to the headmaster or Mrs Pearce we were never privileged to find out but the next day he appeared with his arm in a sling.
All of us laughed in the certain knowledge that we had little to fear from Mr Pearce wielding a plimsoll in his left hand.
Probably it was with this in mind that several boys, myself included were tempted to avoid cheering on our house in one of the frequent inter-house rugby matches.
Of course, our absence was noticed and we were duly summoned to appear and present our excuses, there were four of us.
All lined up in happy anticipation of a relatively pain-free punishment and what happened?
We were each called in by Mrs Pearce, who had armed herself with a swishy little cane.
Oh Boy did she know how to use it too!! Six of the best and each and every stroke a real stinger.