The Cane and the Double Standard8

Their first names were Margaret and Carol. One day in the school grounds during breaktime, they approached me as I stood alone. Margaret made a statement which I shall never forget as it was so odd, “We think that we would like to see you get the cane”. Both smiled at me with that “we know something you don’t” look. I remember I was so embarrased by this and just flushed and mumbled some ridiculous reply, to which they just giggled and walked away. Events in the classroom with slipper and cane were almost a weekly event, sometimes more and we all knew those classes that involved significant risks for the boys. One of these was Maths which for a few weeks was taken by the woodwork teacher during the regular teacher’s absence. This man was later categorised as one of many in the teaching profession, as a nasty little man with a penchant for the cane.